MEDIA COVERAGE OF 1,000 GMO-FREE ZONES DECLARATION
THE IRISH TIMES:
'ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE' TO STAYING GM-FREE
The Irish Times, 23 April 2005, by Christine Newman.
Keeping Ireland free of genetically modified (GM) crops would provide it with a significant economic advantage in Europe and avoid contamination of the food chain, it was claimed yesterday.
The GM-free Ireland Network announced on Earth Day 2005 that 1,000 GM-free zones had been declared throughout the island by farmers, food-producers, hotels, restaurants, markets, pubs, retailers and households.
The briefing was told the Government's strategy to allow GM crops to coexist on the land would contaminate farms where already GM products had been found in animal feed.
Michael O'Callaghan of the network said: "GM animal feed is already causing Irish farmers to loose access to prime EU export markets and destroying our world-famous clean green reputation as 'Ireland the food island.'"
Kathy Sinnott MEP said Ireland was significantly protected from GM contamination from neighbouring countries. "And if GM bellies up, European farmers and consumers will be able to get safe food and seed stocks from us in Ireland. I believe the Celtic Tiger would look like a kitten if Ireland went all the way and became a trade-mark for GM-free," she said.
John Heney, the rural development chairman of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association said he had discovered GM product in his animal feed.
Seán McArdle of Irish Farmers' Markets said: "We're being denied the choice of whether we want GM foods."
