There is no evidence to justify an Irish ban on GM foods on environmental or human health grounds, an independent panel has informed the Government.
The four-person panel has accepted the claimed benefits of gene technology despite intense public concern. It has, however, recognised the need for more transparency, improved labelling of GM foods and, possibly, tightening of their regulation.
In a report published today by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, the panel, which reached its verdict after a national consultation process, concludes that any curtailing of GM crop trials is not justified if they are properly regulated.
The Government has fully accepted the panel's conclusions and "will act on its recommendations", Mr Dempsey said. Government policy on GM foods will now be "positive but precautionary".
The panel proposed improving environmental risk assessment and labelling of GM-derived foods. Its report highlights a need for greater independent GM food research in Ireland, and a strengthening of the regulatory process.
"The scientific evidence presented to us does not suggest that, so far, the use of genetic modification technologies in agricultural crops has produced any harmful effects on human health or the environment," the chairing panel concludes - its representation included scientific and legal exports, and a former senior civil servant.
On the most contentious issue of a ban, the report concludes: "Even if it was legally possible for Ireland to introduce a general moratorium, in our view a clear case for such a course of action does not exist."
Risk from GM foods is addressed in EU law, the report notes, and, as current scientific evidence indicates that any potential risk is "very small", a general moratorium would be disproportionate.
Failure to embrace modern biotechnology would have serious repercussions for the Irish economy, it warns. "If Ireland rejects or ignores biotechnology, it cannot remain competitive in arable farming and related food production if other countries are using the new technology."
It says organic farming whose sector has campaigned strongly for a moratorium it says it serves a niche market and is "not a realistic alternative to safe conventional farming practices".
Genetic Concern said earlier yesterday that the consultation process had failed to guarantee the public a genuine and fair opportunity to present their views. Copies of the panel report and Government policy statement are on the Department of the Environment website, www.environ.ie
