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GMO-free zones map
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1,000 GMO FREE ZONES DECLARED IN IRELAND
One thousand GMO-Free Zones were declared throughout the island of Ireland on 22 April 2005, by farmers, food producers, hotels, restaurants, markets, pubs, retailers, and homes North and South of the border, as part of the world-wide Earth Day 2005 celebration.
These sites require legal protection from contamination by genetically modified (GM) seeds, crops, trees, livestock and fish (see map).
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.
The GMO-free zones were declared at a briefing for media and politians at Buswell's Hotel in Dublin by Kathy Sinnott MEP, John Heney (Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association), Cllr. Brian Meaney (Clare County Council), Seán McArdle (Irish Farmers Markets) and Michael O'Callaghan (GM-free Ireland Network).
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A beautiful young calf wearing a GMO-free zone sign outside the entrance to the Dail appeared on newspapers around the country, symbolising the thousands of farmers who oppose the widespread contamination of their animal feed with GM ingredients.
Related events included a GM-free Ireland workshop at the Convergence Festival in Dublin, and various gatherings around the country including Ballimaloe Cookery School in Cork, Drumcollogher Organic College in Limerick, and a GMO-free community celebration led by the Leitrim Organic Farmers Cooperative and the Cavan Leitrim Environmental Awareness Network in, Co. Leitrim, which is expected to be the fourth Irish county to declare itself GMO-free.
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Media coverage:
Ireland On-line
The Irish Times
Irish Independent
Irish Examiner
Leitrim Observer
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The Irish Times, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, Ireland On-Line and the Cork edition of The Examiner covered the event in positive terms. GM-free Ireland co-ordinator Michael O'Callaghan was interviewed on TV3 - Ireland AM and Q102 News, and participated in a Wide Angle panel discusssion on Newstalk 106 on Sunday 23 April. The event was also covered on Earth Day by RTE Radio 1 5-7 Live, Independent Network News, Red FM News, Tipp FM News, and Cork 96 News.
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Sponsors:
Ballymaloe House, Biodynamic Agicultural Association, The Body Shop, Cavan Leitrim Environmental Awareness Network, Chapter One restaurant (Dublin), Douglas Hyde restaurant (Cork), Euro-Toques Ireland, Friends of the Earth Ireland, Global Vision Consulting Ltd, Irish Association of Health Stores, Irish Farmers Markets, Irish Organic Herbs Ltd, Irish Seed Savers Association, ItsaBagel, Oakfkield Organic Gardens (Uachtar Ard), Dennis & Helen O'Kane, Otto's Creative Catering (Bandon), Ross Communications, Slow Food Dublin, Strand Inn (Dunmore East), Sustainable Ireland, The Hopsack health store (Dublin).
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Special thanks:
The Hon. Garech a Brún, Darina Allen, Richard Auler, Fiona Corbett, Brendan Duffy, Peter Duffy, Clodagh McKenna, Ruth Hegarty, John Heney, Martha Hourican, Ross Lewis, Domini Kemp, Otto Kunze, Aidan MacManus, Seán McArdle, Peter McDonald, Niall McLoughlin, Cllr. Brian Meaney, Anja Murray, Erica Murray, Michael O'Callaghan, Davie Philip, Kathy Sinnott MEP, and Frederike Vos.
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