To Whom It May Concern:

As you may be aware, Ireland’s agriculture and food research agency, Teagasc, are proposing to trial genetically modified (GM) potatoes at their Oakpark research facility in Co. Carlow. Commencement of such a trial will terminate our ‘GM-free’ status. Ireland’s clean, green, GM free status is our unique selling point when marketing our food abroad and offers us huge opportunities within high value export markets (eg, Europe, where over 70% of consumers have said they will not buy GM food and the US where moves are afoot in many states to label products containing GM ingredients)

This move by Teagasc will cause irreparable damage to Ireland’s image as a ‘clean, green food island’, and could have unforeseen consequences for our environment. I believe that this project represents the thin end of the wedge to introducing the commercial cultivation of GM crops on our island.

I would implore you, as my public representative to speak out against this monumental folly and protect Ireland’s pristine image when it comes to quality food production and safeguard our unique environment.

Sincerely,

In response to the recent application by Teagasc to plant GM potatoes in Irish fields, no2gm are calling all people and organisations involved in the Irish food industry to cease co-operation with Teagasc until they abandon this trial. No2gm also calls on the Irish government to investigate this misappropriation of limited public funds.

Last month, BASF and Monsanto, the world leaders in GM, dramatically and suddenly closed down their research facilities throughout Europe citing the fact that after 20 years of trying to sell GM technology, there is clearly no market for it in Europe. Survey after survey shows that European consumers do not want to eat GM food, European farmers do not want to grow GM crops and the decisions of policy makers in Europe reflect this.

It is within this context that Teagasc have taken the inexplicable decision to release this unwanted technology into the pure and natural Irish food chain. This move is yet another blatant waste of public money which will be funded by tax payers.

The immediate ramifications of this move threatens the Irish export market and in a climate where Irish agriculture is being hailed as the silver bullet for the Irish economy, this is a seriously dangerous move. If these trials are allowed to go ahead, Ireland’s unique selling point as a GM-Free Island will be lost forever.

No2gm are calling on concerned citizens, food producers and food businesses to take immediate action to halt this trial as the future of the Irish food industry is at stake.

—————–ENDS —————————-

no2gm phoned Oak Park to find out more GM potato information and received the following:

1. the application for a license was lodged with the EPA last monday Feb 27th and press release went out then so we have 28 days from last Monday -that is if they actually also put a formal notification in a local Carlow paper as well as putting out the press release – the two are not the same thing.

2. The resistant gene comes from solanum venturii – this means it is not transgenetic but cisgenetic.

3. The parent is a non-commercial variety developed, as this was, at the University of Wageningen – info in the last paragraph of this link
http://www.wageningenuniversity.nl/UK/newsagenda/archive/news/2010/potatoes_100310.htm –

see last paragraph, athough the article talks about multiple resistant genes this variety only has one resistence.

http://www.greenparty.ie/news.html?n=40

Therefore if you are having turkey, goose, or ham for Christmas this year make sure to ask if the animal has been fed any GM ingredients, chances are it has! Many producers do not even know that it is one of the ingredients. So be vigilant this Christmas and demand a GM free diet! Currently the only way to ensure that no GM ingredients have been used is to buy certified organic products, in order to get more consumer information we need better labelling on GM ingredients. In the meantime here’s to a GM free Christmas!

Leading chef, TV presenter and food writer, Clodagh McKenna said that she is delighted to be launching such an important campaign. She also stated that she could not think of a more fitting way to mark the occasion of UN International World Food Day than launching this crucial campaign dedicated to protecting Ireland’s food and keeping it clean, green and natural.

The launch will take place from 12 noon and will be a fun and informative family event. There will be an information stand, a puppet show, talks by local producers and gm free food tastings.

no2gm is a non-political, voluntary, not-for-profit organization made up of citizens and organizations who wish to protect our environment and keep Ireland free from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

For more details contact: Kitty Scully, National no2gm co-ordinator. Mobile: 087 670 5338