Sir, - Astute food-producing countries such as Denmark are racing to become organic (and thus GM-free) to meet the astronomical European demand for clean food. Ireland should be doing the same.
Instead, we have our bio-industry and agricultural education establishments doing their utmost to kill a potential golden goose (recent GM hearing at Sutton Castle). "Commercial organic farming is the greatest threat to bio-diversity," says Prof Whittaker of Maynooth. His argument is based on "one study" that says organic production levels are 50 per cent lower than conventional agriculture and thus require correspondingly more land.
I vehemently disagree.
Contrary to the professor's contention, output levels in organic farming can match and exceed that of chemical farming (see Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, recent report). And where they don't, decent research funds would undoubtedly raise productivity. There are many more studies. I'd be glad to cite them if requested.
But, at a practical level, take even my own humble case; I grow garlic, organically, about 40,000 plants, and get yields over 100 per cent more than the European commercial average. Furthermore, a study I made on potatoes shows that modern agriculture still hasn't equalled the output levels achieved in Ireland before the Famine - organically.
Chemical farming has left us a degraded environment, mountains and lakes of surplus produce, factory farming of animals, decreased employment and profits in agriculture and, of course, food contamination. Add the costs of these effects (which we pay for anyway) and we'll see the real price of food.
The men in white coats are scraping the bottom of the barrel for arguments to bolster a losing case. Again, a pro-GM scientist (conference on GM food, Skibbereen, February 1999) said that "organic potatoes are poisonous". Nonsense! As an act of commemoration two years ago I ate a pre-Famine diet of organic potatoes and mostly buttermilk for six months. It's the simplest and healthiest diet possible.
Organic farming is good for the environment, for the economy (huge import savings as well), for rural employment, but above all for the health of our people. Subtract these benefits from the cost of organic produce and you'll see the true value of healthy food.
Far from bowing to the dictates and mega-buck research funds of a discredited bio-engineering industry, we should follow Denmark's example and start our own race to be first in this fast-developing industry. Chemical and GM farming is the real threat to the environment and bio-diversity - not organic farming. - Yours, etc., Jim O'connor,
Waterfall, Beara, Co Cork.