SIRC – Media Watch 26-10-99

Irish panel concludes in favour of GM crops

Rather than responding to hysterical media scare stories on GM foods, the Irish government recently undertook a process of national consultation on the subject. An independent panel of experts has now concluded that there is no substantial evidence to suggest that GM foods offer a significant risk to an individuals health or the environment.

The Irish Minister for the Environment announced last week that while the government would not support any new GM crop authorisations, neither would it restrict or prevent current GM trials. Such trials were vital to enable full evaluation of genetically modified crops.