A licence to grow Genetically Modified potatoes in Ireland

national | environment | news report Wednesday March 07, 2012 23:44 by indigoshaman - www.nettv.ie www.nettv.ie

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-gm-potato-trials-in-ireland/

Teagasc, the agriculture and food development authority in Ireland, have
applied for a licence to grow Genetically Modified potatoes in Ireland.
Their application arrived on 27/2/2012 and the public has until 27/3/2012
"to make representations" about the application.

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This is the first time a government agency has applied to use genetically
modified seed in Irish soil...a watershed moment which needs to be
recognized and responded to in force.

A group of us are attempting to test our collective muscle on this issue. I
posted some thoughts on Facebook which apparently have gone viral (copied
below along with links to more info).

Would love to get your take on how we could rally an army, but not just the
usual suspects....I sent an email out to the Dublin Community Gardening
network last night, my creative network are discussing ideas for public
action/events today...but time is short (March 27th, 5 pm)!

Thoughts...Ideas?

Links to information:
http://no2gm.com/2012/03/04/press-release-irresponsible...-thre


Complete information on making an objection to the EPA application is
available here:
http://www.epa.ie/downloads/forms/lic/gmo/gmtrial/name,....html

My friend and fellow Granny, Stella, has set up a site with information and
a petition supporting a moratorium on the use of Genetically Modified seed
in Ireland can be signed here:

http://www.gm-moratorium.com/

My rant....

IRELAND, THE HOME OF SAFE FOOD?

As an island with an independent culture, Ireland has a unique opportunity
to take a proactive stand in the GM debate.

On Friday 23rd September 2011 Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the
Department of ...Agriculture, Food and the Marine pointed out that it is our
high food safety standards that underpin the growth of the Irish Agrifood
Industry.

He referred to the expected increase in Irish food and drink exports to an
all time record of €8.9 billion in 2011, an increase of more than 12%, or
almost €1billion, on 2010 levels:

“This follows growth of €700m in 2010 and overall then we will have seen 25%
growth in exports from the sector in two years. This is a tremendous
performance by any standards. The opportunity for the Irish agri-food sector
to continue on this growth path has been clearly identified in the Food
Harvest 2020 Report against a background of surging population growth,
changes in the dietary habits of developing economies and greater
urbanisation”.

Minister McEntee pointed out that the continued success of the industry
depends ultimately on meeting consumer demands “an absolute prerequisite in
this respect is food safety. Food safety is the foundation on which the
industry can build other positive attributes such as the environmental
sustainability and animal welfare friendly production. Irish food products
already have an excellent reputation which we can continue to develop to
maximise returns from a competitive market place”.

The Minister believes that the responsibility for food safety rests
primarily with food business operators...This is where I disagree. It is up
to us, PARENTS and indigenous CONSUMERS of Irish food products to make sure
this fundamental principle leads our future agricultural development.

Although Irish women still earn apx 20% less than men do, women have apx 80%
of the buying power. Collectively Irish families have the ability to control
the market and lead an Irish wide campaign promoting Ireland as the home of
safe food.

I am convinced that a moratorium on the use of genetic modification until
its impact is adequately understood will render Ireland an ideal prototyping
ground for GM free research and development, giving us a valuable edge in
this industry.

OK - Representations to the EPA must be:

(a) made in writing

(b) received by the EPA at the following address:

The EPA
P.O. Box 3000,
Johnstown Castle Estate
Co Wexford.
no later than 5.00 p.m. on 27 March 2012

(c) accompanied by a fee of €10

Kaethe Burt-O’Dea, MSc Arch AEES
Healthcare Design Research

desireland
44 Sitric Road
Dublin 7
Ireland
T+F +353 (0)1 6772603
M +353 (0)87 2444185
E [email protected]
SKYPE kaetheburtodea

We urge everybody to sign the on-line petition at Stop GM potato trials in Ireland by clicking on the following link and signing the petition.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-gm-potato-trials-...land/

Further information is available from:

Kitty Scully
no2gm National Co-ordinator
[email protected]
http://www.no2gm.com
087 670 5338

http://www.nettv.ie