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IRISH AND INTERNATIONAL PERCEPTION
OF GM FOOD AND FARMING:
Public opinion surveys and statements by politicians
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GM-FREE IRELAND PRESS CONFERENCE, 10 MAY 2006
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At a GM-free Ireland press conference held on European Day, 10 May 2006 at the European Commission Office in Dublin, Marian Harkin MEP, Martin Ferris TD, Michael Mulcahy TD, Trevor Sargent TD, Kathy Sinnott MEP, and Mary Upton TD called for the whole island of Ireland to become a GMO-free zone for the food security of the other EU member states, and said the EC must recognise the democratic legal right of member states and regions to ban all GMO seeds, crops, trees and livestock if they wish to do so. (See map of EU GMO-free zones).
The press conference was held immediately prior to a speech by EC Agriculture and Rural Development Commissioner Mariann Fischer-Boel in the D·il - the first such visit by an EC Commissioner to the Irish Parliament.
Kathy Sinnott MEP, the independent European Parliament delegate to the World Trade Organisation, said the EC's refusal to recognise Ireland's right to conserve its GM-free status would topple the EU Constitution. The EC cannot achieve the EU Constitution without it being approved by referendum in Ireland. She said "Remaining GMO-free is vital for the health of the Irish people and for all those who consume Irish farm and food produce around the world, and for the economic viability of the Irish farm and food sectors. The EU's attempt to force GMO seeds and crops on us will make it impossible to convincingly market Irish food as safe and healthy under Bord BÌa's brand of Ireland - the Food Island.
Her warning came as a final WTO ruling on the US-EU GMO trade war claimed that EC-approved bans on GMO crops broke trade rules. Greenpeace International said the WTO verdict proves it is unqualified to deal with complex scientific and environmental issues, as it puts trade interests above all others.
Marian Harkin MEP (Independent) also called for Ireland to be declared a GMO-free zone and for the EC to recognise our legal right to do so.
Michael Mulcahy TD (Fianna F·il - Government Convener on the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs and former Lord Mayor of Dublin) said "there is absolutely no advantage for the Irish agriculture industry to plant GM crops. Ireland has long has a reputation as a producer of top quality natural fresh food produce. If we go down the GM path, we will reduce our international reputation and become simply another mass food producer. This could have disastrous consequences for Irish agriculture. I am calling on the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan TD, to take a decisive lead in this area. Additionally, there are environmental and food safety issues, and I note that the European Union Environment Commissioner Mr. Stavros Dimas has criticized the European Food Safety Authority for failing to consider the long-term health and environmental risks of GMOs. GM food is bad for Irish agriculture, bad for our environment, and bad for our consumers."
Mary Upton TD (Labour Party spokesperson on Agriculture and Food) said the Labour party fully supports the campaign to keep the whole island of Ireland GM free and joined the call for the EC to recognise the democratic right of its member states and regions to remain GM-free if they so choose.
Trevor Sargent TD, leader of the Green Party, accused the EC of colluding with the WTO to indulge the commercial colonisation tactics of GM biotech companies. "The fight to ensure the people can keep the country free of GMO seed and crops now takes on a renewed impetus following the recent decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to grant permission for GM trials in Co. Meath. An historic blow for democracy was struck last Monday by Meath County Council when a Green Party motion that the county should be made a GM free zone was unanimously endorsed. Meath now joins over 3,500 local authorities and 172 regions, provinces and prefectures which are declared GMO free areas. He told Fisher Boel "The people and farmers of Ireland are not asking, they are telling the European Commission that they will determine the future of our GM free status which up to now has been taken for granted. The words of Herr Rudi Anschober, Minister for the Environment in Austria are a call to action in Ireland too when he says that 'it is a basic principle that we can decide on our own what will grow in our fields! We demand the right of self-determination for the region'."
Martin Ferris TD (Sinn FÈin Spokesperson on Agriculture and Food) condemned the Government's ongoing attempt to introduce GMO crops and food products into Ireland. "There has been no debate on the issue either in Leinster House or among the general public. No elected body has voted in favour of GM and yet Government officials have consistently adopted a pro-GM stance in Brussels. The implications of GM for Irish agriculture are enormous. If GM crops are allowed to be grown here, non-GM crops will inevitably be contaminated with all the potential damage which that would have on the safety of Irish food produce, and the image of this island as the source of clean safe food."
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IRISH TIMES / IRELAND.COM NEWS POLL, 6 MAY 2006
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The Irish Times / ireland.com News Poll on Friday 6 May 2006 found 72% of respondents voted NO in anwer to the question "Are you in favour of the GM crop trials in Ireland?"
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GM-FREE IRELAND PRESS CONFERENCE ON GMO POTATO EXPERIMENT, 22 FEBRUARY 2006
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"This is a burning issue - it's perfectly clear from the number, the range and the diversity of people represented here today. The first thing I want to say is: this [i.e. BASF] is a German company. There is plenty of room in Germany. Why do they need to come to Ireland? Can't they do their bloody experiments there?...
The patenting of life forms is an obscenity. There was a farmer in Canada [i.e. Percy Schmeiser] going along in his normal farming occupations. They established one of these experiments next to him. It contaminated his crop. He was fined a hundred thousand. His entire crop was swiped. That is not fair. We don't want that happening in Ireland!
Then there is the question of blight-resistant potatoes. David McConnell, my former colleague ? and I hope still a friend, although I disagree with him ? acknowledged that blight-resistant potatoes can be produced, albeit sometimes in a slightly slower way, by traditional methods of breeding. Let's not go in the fast lane: we know from our road accident rate in this country that the fast lane can be bloody dangerous.
I have one final thing to say, and it's a serious point. I am going to be calling on the government ? and I know that Marian [Harkin] and Trevor [Sargent] and other people will also, I think, be disturbed by this ? I learnt in just the last week that at the World Trade Organisation's recent meeting in Hong Kong, among the Irish delegation ? which was used as a Trojan horse by Monsanto ? there was a representative of Monsanto. I think that's disgraceful! Monsanto does not represent the Irish people! And I call upon Bertie Ahern and the Government to explain what that Monsanto representative was doing at the WTO trade discussions purporting to represent the Irish people. They do not represent Ireland! And this particular person wasn't even resident in Ireland... They were [at the WTO talks] at in Canc?un as well! How much to the Irish people know about being represented by Monsanto with the connivance of the Irish government? I call upon Bertie Ahern and the Irish Government to explain how Monsanto is part of our delegation to the World Trade Organisation!"
– Senator David Norris (Independent)
"Ireland's record in Europe is a disgrace on GMOs. We have either abstained or we have voted for... At least the Austrian presidency [of the EU] is going in the direction of anti-GMO. They are organizing a conference later this year. And certainly, I hope that that will raise people's awareness. But the problem is: is it going to be too late for Ireland? Because what are we talking about here? Potatoes that we don't need, that we don't want, and that we risk our future status of remaining GMO-free.
There are varieties out there that are blight-resistant. We don't need this, we don't want this. BASF wants this. This country doesn't need it and doesn't want it....
And to me as well, what we're looking at here is the ugly face of globalisation. Patenting life forms should, in itself, be resisted...
We have members of the Seanad, we have members of the D·il here, and we have no influence on what happens here. I may have some influence on our vote in the European Parliament, but we have no influence on any of this. So there is a democratic deficit because most Irish people do not want GMO foods. And I will just finish by saying: it's not just this generation. We have a duty to the next generation to make sure that we don't do anything that will impact negatively on their future. And I believe if this decision is taken to grant the license by the EPA, that's exactly what we'll be doing."
– Marian Harkin MEP (Independent)
"We are committed to making Ireland a GM crop free zone. We must will not allow Ireland's clean and green image to be sold to the highest bidding multinational GM lobbyist..."
I've spoken to many farmers, many farmers in Co. Meath indeed, and in my own constituency of North Co. Dublin, and they are deeply angry about this particular prospect of GM potatoes being grown as a trial in Co. Meath. They see this as nothing more than BASF coming to Ireland, effectively prostituting Ireland by using the name of Ireland to do their trial and then sell their global product with no benefit for Ireland, no benefit for Irish farmers, no benefit for Irish consumers.
And that has to be, for many people, the point of protest which has to finish with success. Because this is a slippery slope, which if we allow it to happen now will create the precedent for the future. And that means that we have to challenge the Government. The Minister for Agriculture in the D?il told me that there were adequate safeguards, that it was watertight; that nothing could happen that would do any harm to anybody. And I have to challenge the Minister, and we all should challenge the Minister and the Government to say they do not have watertight regulations.
That report on ?co-existence? is a draft. It has been found to use the same terms which failed in Spain and other countries where GM has been grown. It is not watertight either in terms of potatoes. You will not know if your potato crop has been contaminated until the second year after harvest whey you go to grow seed again and discover the fatal result then.
So there's no way that this Government can give any guarantees about this trial. And BASF knows that well. The only buffer zone that will be of any use in this country is the Irish Sea, and that should be the one we insist on!
– Trevor Sargent TD (Green Party)
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TEAGASC SURVEY, 13 FEBRUARY 2006
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A Teagasc-sponsored survey found that 60% of Irish consumers said they would not want to eat GM food products even if there were discernible health benefits. According to the Irish Independent, 13 February 2006:
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Most Irish consumers would turn down GM foods
Irish Independent, 13 February 2006. By Aideen Sheehan, Food Correspondent.
THE majority of Irish consumers would reject genetically modified foods even if they offered specific health benefits.
A new survey shows strong hostility to GM foods, even though a sizable minority would buy GM products under certain conditions.
Around 40pc of consumers might accept certain GM foods if they offered health benefits such as protection against cancer or lowering of cholesterol, but half this group had reservations that would have to be addressed first.
Teagasc asked 300 consumers for their reaction to two hypothetical new GM foods - a yogurt and a dairy spread - to gauge public attitudes to the types of GM foods that might come on stream in the near future.
The anti-GM group tended to be better educated, more health-conscious and keener on natural ingredients, while Dubliners were more likely to accept GM food than Munster people.
Teagasc said the survey showed that GM foods were not widely accepted by Irish consumers, although a detailed analysis showed that clearly labelled GM dairy products with proven health benefits could get a share of the Irish food market.
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IRISH INSTITUTE FOR BIOETHICS SURVEY, 28 NOVEMBER 2005
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A survey published on 28 November 2005 by the Irish Institute of Bioethics in its report "Genetically Modified Crops and Food: Threat or Opportunity for Ireland?" revealed that the vast majority of respondents do not trust the government's safety claims on GMOs and oppose their release in Ireland. The survey found that:
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98% of respondents want all foods containing GM ingredients to be clearly labeled (most Irish meat and dairy produce, which comes from animals fed a GM diet, is not labeled as such);
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85% believe genetic modification interferes with nature more unacceptably than traditional breeding;
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84% are not confident that the development of GM food and crops is carefully regulated;
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82% think GM crops pose a threat to the environment;
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81% believe GM crops can not safely ìco-existî with conventional and organic crops;
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78% do not trust scientists and government organisations to provide factual information;
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77% are opposed to the introduction of GM crops in Ireland, even if carefully regulated and monitored;
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71% refuse to eat food containing GM ingredients under any circumstances;
71% do not believe or are not sure that GM foods may contain less pesticides than conventional foods;
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70% think GM food will adversely affect future generations;
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68% trust environmental and non-government organisations to provide factual information;
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60% do not believe GM crops can improve the food supply in developing countries;
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10% believe that GM foods currently on sale are safe.
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Apart from this survey which clearly shows massive Irish opposition to GM food and farming, the Institute of Bioethics report reads like it was produced by Monsantoís PR department. It concludes that GMO crops "hold a great deal of promise" and are not "morally objectionable". It is amusing that the Council's own public consultation on GMOs reveals that the vast majority of respondents do not trust the government's safety claims on GMOs and oppose their release in Ireland! The report can be downloaded from
http://www.gmfreeireland.org/downloads/GM Report1.pdf (800k PDF file).
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CONSUMERS INTERNATIONAL APPEAL FOR CAUTION ON GM CONTAMINATION, 9 SEPTEMBER 2005
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Consumers International (CI) and the Government of the Italian region of Emilia - Romagna held a major international conference in Bologna, Italy on 9 September 2005, where they made an appeal to the EC for caution over contamination from genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
Consumers International GM Campaign Manager David Cuming said: "Stop GMO contamination - it can happen quickly and over vast areas and is irreversible. In places, like Italy, where there are a lot of small farms with traditional and organic crops, 'co-existence' is probably impossible without removing the freedom of consumers and farmers to choose." David Cuming advised "All countries worldwide must introduce strict rules to prevent contamination, and allow for GM-free zones, before allowing GMOs in their countries. The EC must wait until they have completed the full review of "co-existence" in Europe before approving new GMO crops."
Prof. Ignacio Chapela, leading expert on GMOs told the conference "'Co-existence'" of GMOs and GM-free plants is biologically impossible. If we keep thinking like this it won't be a question of - if contamination will occur: It will be a question of when and how much? We do not have the political will, the technical capacity or the independence of thought to deal with 'co-existence'"; neither to monitor its development, nor to remedy its consequences. Proposed biosafety and bioethical frameworks will not prevent contamination." GMO and consumer experts from Canada, USA, Brazil, Thailand, Zambia, Austria, Italy and UK presented their position on "co-existence", contamination and GM-free zones at the conference in Bologna. Recent examples of GMO contamination cases are: oilseed rape fields in the USA, Canada and Australia, shipments of maize to Ireland Japan and New Zealand, and illegal rice in China. Conference proceedings will be posted at www.consumersinternational.org.
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STATEMENTS BY IRISH POLITICIANS, JOINT OIREACHTAS BRIEFING ON GMOS, 15 JUNE 2005
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"An unelected body, the European Commission, has made an incredibly important decision that is unacceptable and illegal. We are sullying Ireland's reputation as a green environment and food producing country. Shame on the politicians and officials who supported it and shame on us for allowing it to happen. I call on Ireland to prohibit these products!"
– Michael Mulcahy TD (FF)
"All of us, from officials to public representatives, have failed to discuss the issue and it is regrettable that we are only doing so now."
– Senator Ann Ormonde (FF)
"A great opportunity exists to market Ireland as a GM-free zone. 70% of the EU do not want GM foods. We should encourage our Government to introduce a ban to keep this country free of them for the foreseeable future."
– Senator Don Lydon (FF)
"The introduction of GM foods by Monsanto and other companies would give rise to significant concerns in terms of the health of the population. I seek a GM-free Ireland."
– Mae Sexton TD (PD)
"I am totally opposed to the introduction of GM foods because of the serious health repercussions. Experts throughout Europe observe that supermarkets and food manufacturers are concerned at the introduction of GM foods because the public does not want them and there is no market for such products. Moreover, the warnings from experts and doctors dictate that such products should not be forced into our food chains. I hope the Government will oppose the introduction of GM foods at EU level."
– Senator James Bannon (FG)
"Ireland's reputation for clean, green food is an important marketing asset for Irish farm producers and the food industry. There is no benefit to be gained if this image is compromised."
– Mary Upton TD (Labour)
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OTHER STATEMENTS BY POLITICIANS IN 2005
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"The EC should heed the warning that GM products are unwanted in Ireland."
– Mary Lou McDonald MEP (SF)
"Ireland is the best possible GMO-free zone for the security of the other EU member states."
– Kathy Sinnot MEP (Independent)
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NEWSTALK 106FM: WIDE ANGLE CURRENT AFFAIRS PROGRAMME, 5 JUNE 2005
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Eighty per cent of callers to NewsTalk 106 FMís The Wide Angle international current affairs programme hosted by Karen Coleman on Sunday 5 June 2005 said they believe GM food is bad for your health. The live radio debate featured Michael O'Callaghan (GM-free Ireland Network), Matt Moran (Bioindustry Association), Sakiko Fukuda-Parr (Harvard University), and Raymond O'Rourke (food liability lawyer).
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CONSUMERS INTERNATIONAL SAY NO TO GMOs, 15 MARCH 2005
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Consumer organisations around the world called for a ban on GM foods on 15 March, World Consumer Rights Day 2005. The event was organised by Consumers International, representing over 250 organisations in 115 countries (including the Consumers' Association of Ireland). Member organisations lobbied governments, held public meetings and street demonstrations to demand GM-free food and secure GM-free areas with strict rules to prevent contamination of conventional and organic crops, and independent safety testing and safety guidelines for all foods containing or derived from GMOs. www.consumersinternational.org.
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TEAGASC ANNUAL REPORT 2005
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ìTwo hypothetical second-generation genetically modified (GM) products, yoghurt and a dairy spread,
were evaluated by consumers. Second generation genetically modified food products offer specific
consumer benefits, and, in the case of this study, health benefits. The results for both products suggest
that genetically modified foods are not widely accepted by Irish yoghurt and dairy spread consumers.
However, the results of the segmentation analysis also imply that clearly labelled secondgeneration
genetically modified dairy products with proven health benefits could attain a significant
share of the Irish food market.î
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EUROBAROMETER POLL, DECEMBER 2001
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Across Europe, consumers have rejected GMO foods and public concern over these products remains high. The Eurobarometer opinion poll published by the European Commission in December 2001 showed that 94.6% EU citizens want the right to choose, 85.9% want to know more before eating GMOs, and 70.9% simply do not want GM food. See http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/press/2001/pr0612en-report.pdf
In the UK over 90% of consumers refuse GM food The vast majority of consumers in Ireland's British, French and Italian export markets are also opposed to GM food. A survey carried out by Friends of the Earth Europe indicates that 94.6% of EU citizens want the right to choose GM-free food, and 70.9% refuse GM food.
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