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Please take action to keep Ireland free of GM food and farming:
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1.
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Download our flyer: (as shown on right)
This two-sided A4 size colour page folds in two to make 4 panels; it contains a GMO fact sheet and maps of GMO free zones in Ireland and Europe:
Low res version (316 kb pdf file): download
High res version (very large 85 MB pdf file for broadband users): download
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Sign the GM-free Ireland petition to the Irish Government:
This has already been signed by 6,000 people: sign here
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3.
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Join the GM free Ireland Network (free of charge): join now.
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4.
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Subscribe to our email list and newsletter
Send an email with your first and last name to subscribe@gmfreeireland.org.
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5.
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Inform your friends and colleagues with the Future of Food DVD
Order the DVD by credit card from www.thefutureoffood.com or contact us to arrange a screening, cinema release or TV broadcast in your community. This documentary film provides an in-depth look at the genetically modified foods controversy, and is an excellent community organising tool. Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, the film examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world's food system through patented GM crops which invade conventional and organic crops and require contaminated farmers to pay annual patent royalties or face patent-infringement lawsuits. The film explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agribusiness, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as solutions to the global farm crisis. Produced by Deborah Koons Garcia. 90 minutes.
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Support our public awareness campaign
You can make a financial donation, work as a volunteer, help us with fund-raising, or provide financial sponsorship and in-kind contributions of goods and services. Please contact us for enquiries.
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Declare your farm, land or property as a GMO-free zone
Stand up for your legal right to avoid being contaminated. We can provide you with information and GMO free zone signs.
The first 1,000 GMO-free zones were declared throughout the island of Ireland on 22 April, Earth Day 2005, by farmers, food producers, hotels, restaurants, markets, pubs, retailers, and homes North and South of the border. Hundreds of participants placed GMO-free zone signs outside their place of business. This marks a first step in protecting the right of Irish farmers and consumers to choose safe GMO-free food and farming. (More) Dowload press release.
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Display a GMO-free zone sign
Display a GMO-free zone sign on your farm, stud farm, restaurant, hotel, B&B, pub, retail outlet, or canteen.
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Put yourself on the map
Register your land, farm or local area on the GM-free Ireland map.
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10.
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Ask your County or Town Council to pass a GMO-free zone Motion
The motion should have three clauses as follows:
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(a) |
to protect the interests of landowners, farmers, food producers, consumers and future generations by prohibiting the release of GMO seeds, crops, trees, insects, crustaceans, fish, poultry and livestock in [insert name of county];
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(b) |
to exclude Local Authority funding for the procurement of food containing GM ingredients in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, canteens etc.; and
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(c) |
to prevent the transportation, storage, and use of live GMO seeds, crops, trees, insects, crustaceans, fish, poultry and livestock on its land, water, and airspace (including GMO seeds and crops approved only for animal feed or biofuel).
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Because the European Commission does not recognise the right of its member state governments and local authorities to establish blanket bans on GM crops, also ask your County, Town council or Regional Authority to join the Assembly of European Regions (www.a-e-r.org) which will lobby on your behalf for a new EC Directive that recognises the democratic right of local authorities to have the final say on whether GM crops may be grown in their area.
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Involve your local food retailers, restaurants, and schools
Request them in writing to guarantee (a) that their food contains no GM ingredients, and (b) that their meat and dairy produce comes from animals that have been fed a non-GM diet.
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Boycott retailers which sell GM-labelled food
Some food containing GM ingredients is already being sold by Irish food retailers, although it is banned by the 30 largest retailers in the EU. Tesco and Musgrave Cash and Carry are selling cooking oil from GM soya beans, including the Lifeforce brand produced by the Boyne Valley Group. See our list of suspect foods, always check the labels, and please let us know if you discover any food containing GM ingredients.
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Avoid using animal feed containing GM ingredients
If you are a farmer, you can secure higher premia for your meat and dairy produce if you make a point of using only non-GM animal feed for your livestock.
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Demand fair media coverage of GMO issues
Hold the media accountable to cover the economic, health and environmental risks of GM farming. Request the editors of the Irish Times and The Independent to stop their biased coverage of GMO issues.
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Hold your elected representatives accountable
Tell our Minister for Food and Agriculure (Mary Coughlan), Minister for Environment (John Gormley) to stand up to the WTO and protect our right to restrict GM crops and food. Also express your concerns to your TDs and MEPs.
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Sing our song
Learn our song Working the Land and ask your local musicians to perform it in public.
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Explore this web site and contact us for enquiries
Contact details.
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