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At Least One MEP Opposes GM
One politician who has come out firmly against GMOs is Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott. She is urging Irish farmers and consumers to wake up to the dangers of adopting GM crops in Ireland. "People don't seem to realise that there is very little time left in which to keep Ireland GM free," says Sinnott. "The EU has accepted GM technology and even individual governments don't have the power to stop it. The Irish government couldn't declare Ireland as a GM free island even if it was inclined to do so. Anyone in an EU state is now free to plant GM crops."
Sinnot believes that there is an urgent need to educate the public on the issue. "Many find the topic boring and the scientific arguments too confusing. But we must keep the issue to the forefront and keep the country GM free," she says. "It will be too late when a farmer's crops are contaminated and he is no longer able to claim his crops as GM free."
"All those producing food that is GM free should be encouraged to label it as such," says Sinnott. "That would help consumers to view GM free products in a positive light." Sinnott also believes that anti GM campaigners should enlist the support of retailers. "If even one supermarket chain came out against GM the others would have to follow suit." The MEP argues that the multinational companies promoting GM crops are no better than drug pushers. "'Companies like Monsanto are like heroin pushers" she says. "They will pay farmers to take GM seeds until they have them hooked."
No GM-free Zones, says EU
Question to Mr. Fernard Boden, President-in-Office, European Council, Minister for Agriculture (Luxembourg) Feb 2, 2005.
KATHY SINNOTT MEP: "Mr. Boden, I agree with you that the "European Food Chain, is one of the safest in the world". This is certainly true of my country Ireland. I am very concerned that we would introduce G.M. crops into our safe food chain. I am not alone in my concern. In my country. The introduction of G.M. crops is deeply unpopular.
I have spoken with the Agriculture Commissioner about my concerns about GM crops. However, she tells me that GM crops once licensed can be grown by any farmer in the Union who so chooses. I am glad to hear that the Council is still uncertain of their policies towards G.M. Maybe it is not too late to put a proposal to you.
I am against the licensing of GM crops. I believe that any area that wants to remain GM free should be allowed to do so. But there is another important issue in the area of GM.
By any scientific definition, G.M. crops are an experiment. GM is too new to be anything else. An experiment needs a control area for comparison purposes. Such a control area will grow normal crops, free from the threat of G.M. contamination. The only possible control area is an island and I would suggest that Ireland, being an island, is ideally placed to be a control area. Then, should studies show G.M. crops to be problematic, Ireland will be in the envious position of growing uncontaminated crops. On the other hand, should the GM experiment show these crops to be safe, we can then, and only then, consider our options on G.M ."
Main points of the answer from Minister Boden
- The EPSA - European Parliament Scientific Agency says GM is safe.
- The Commission is against GM free zones. We wouldn't grow GM if they weren't safe. Small countries like Luxembourg would like to remain GM free but we have to have rules and regulations.
- It is not a good idea to let member states make their decisions with only a few guidelines. It would cause distortion of trade.
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