The GM-free Ireland Network is an association of individuals and organisations collaborating to keep the island of Ireland off-limits to the environmental release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including viruses, algae, bacteria, seeds, crops, trees, insects, molluscs, crustaceans, fish, poultry and livestock.
GM crops can not "co-exist" with conventional and organic agriculture, and would contaminate our ecosystem and food chain in perpetuity if introduced on this island. We support farmers' rights to a sustainable future and consumers' rights to chose safe GM-free food.
We call for mandatory GM labelling of meat, poultry and dairy produce from livestock fed on GM ingredients, and of GM food sold by hotels, restaurants, pubs and the catering industry.
We encourage a voluntary phase out of GM animal feed, to give Irish food the most credible safe GM-free food brand in Europe.
Launched at the Forging a GM Policy for Ireland workshop in 2004, the GM-free Ireland Network has the largest number and the broadest diversity of stakeholder groups of any NGO on this island. Our 130 organisational members (and the populations of the 18 counties and towns which oppose the cultivation of GM crops) now represent over 1 million citizens. Our members include farmers, foresters, food producers, food distributors and exporters, leading chefs and restaurants, NGOs, professional associations, doctors, economists, lawyers, journalists, students, and consumers. Joining our Network provides a powerful way to support our campaign to keep Ireland free of GM food and farming. Membership is free of charge and open to individuals, businesses and organisations.
We hold the Irish and UK governments accountable under EC law to forge an all-island GM policy that is democratically informed by the stakeholders whom it will affect.
GM-free Ireland is a member of the European NGO Network on Genetic Engineering. Our knowledge of the agricultural, economic, health, environmental, political, and security aspects of GMOs is informed by the expertise of our international partners, our member organisations, and leading scientists, farming bodies, consumer groups, government agencies, NGOs and politicians around the world.
Our knowledge of the agricultural, economic, health, environmental, political, and security aspects of GMOs is informed by the expertise of our members and partners including the International Commission on the Future of Food and Agriculture, the Assembly of European Regions, the Independent Science Panel on GM, the European Network of GMO-free regions, the European NGO Network on Genetic Engineering, Greenpeace Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, IUCN - World Conservation Union, and leading scientists, farming bodies, consumer groups, government agencies, NGOs and politicians around the world.
The GM-free Ireland Network was launched, incubated, financed and co-ordinated pro bono by Global Vision Consulting Ltd. (www.global-vision.org).
We urgently need funding and volunteers to collaborate on public awareness, stakeholder mobilisation, and local community organising. Please contact us for enquiries.
Note to media editors: we can provide broadcast quality footage and also arrange exclusive interviews on GM issues with leading scientific experts, political leaders, authors, farmers and food producers.
membership
Membership is free of charge and open to all individuals, farmers, businesses, and Non Governmental Organisations (north and south of the border) who want to keep Ireland GM-free. We welcome farmers, stud farms, seed traders, animal feed distributors, food producers and retailers, hotels, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, pubs, and who cannot yet guarantee their produce completely GM-free, so long as they aspire to do so. As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world".
financial support
Please help our public awareness campaign by making a financial contribution. Click the button above for details.
