Keeping your area GM-free
Article 19 of the EU Directive on GMOs (2001/18/EC) allows for specific environments, ecosystems and geographical areas to be exempted from the growing of GM crops.
Because decisions on applications to grow GM crops in Europe are being made now (December 2003), there is a short window of opportunity for Local Authorities and National Park Authorities in the Republic and the North of Ireland to put in applications for exemption under Article 19, during the consultation period on each GM crop.
Responsible officers need to engage with the decision-making process and prepare their case.
Friends of the Earth (FOE) has published an excellent pamphlet on the subject entitled Keeping your area GM free: a guide to EU decision making for Local Authorities and National Parks which can be downloaded from the FOE web site at www.foe.co.uk/campaigns/real_food/resource/local.html.
Because the process essentially leapfrogs over national governments, the FOE guide prepared for the UK contains much information which is also applicable to the Irish Republic.
We urge all Irish National Park and Local Authorities to download their copy of the guide and liaise with us if they want to declare their area GM free.
|
