Reefs in Galley Head (photo by Enzo Cositore, courtesy of morguefile.com)

The Irish Government will ban the cultivation of all genetically modified (GM) crops and introduce a voluntary GM-free label for food – including meat, poultry, eggs, fish, crustaceans, and dairy produce made without the use of GM animal feed.

The policy was adopted as part of the Renewed Programme for Government agreed between the two coalition partners, the center-right Fianna Faíl and the Green Party, after the latter voted to support it on Saturday.

The agreement specifies that the Government will “Declare the Republic of Ireland a GM-Free Zone, free from the cultivation of all GM plants”. The official text also states, “To optimize Ireland’s competitive advantage as a GM-Free country, we will introduce a voluntary GM-Free logo for use in all relevant product labeling and advertising, similar to a scheme recently introduced in Germany.”

Michael O’Callaghan of GM-free Ireland said the policy signals a new dawn for Irish farmers and food producers:

The Irish Government plan to ban GM crops and to provide a voluntary GM-fee label for qualifying animal produce makes obvious business sense for our agri-food and eco-tourism sectors. Everyone knows that U.S. and E.U. consumers, food brands and retailers want safe GM-free food, and Ireland is ideally positioned to deliver the safest, most credible GM-free food band in Europe, if not the world.

This past February, American Feast and Organic Valley joined more than 70 companies in pledging not to use or sell genetically modified beet sugar. The companies and many doctors believe there has been insufficient study of the long term effects of genetically modified crops on human health and the environment.

The measures taken by Germany and Ireland may well spread across the European Union and make GM-free food more competitive against the stiff competition from the giant agri-businesses that see genetically modified food as a means to greater profitability. In doing so, those governments have not only improved their countries’ economic prospects, they have taken a great step toward protecting the health of people and our planet.

To view the press release on which this item was based go to: Ireland Adopts GM-Free Zone Policy

To view previous posts on the topic go to:

1. Doctors Warn: Avoid Genetically Modified Food
2. 70 Companies Vow Not to Sell Genetically Modified Sugar Beets

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