EPA demands clear labelling of genetically modified foods

THE Environmental Protection Agency has called for adequate labelling of food products to ensure that consumers know if they are genetically modified, and has put this view to the European Commission.

The EU has made regulations for genetically-modified organisms - GMOs - which are increasingly entering European markets. But there are no requirements to label products to indicate they are GMOs unless they are substantially different from non-modified products.

This is considered a loophole in the regulations by consumer interests and the Green Party.

In the light of opposition to increased GMO use in Ireland and, in particular, to a proposal by Monsanto, the US chemical multinational, to grow genetically modified sugar beet in trials on Irish farms, the EPA has spelt out the current level of GMO usage in Ireland. It has also outlined how it will reach a decision on the Monsanto application.

GMOs are bacteria, viruses, fungi, plants and animals in which genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating or natural recombination. Due to concerns about the potential risks to human health and the environment, the EU has introduced regulations through two directives.

These relate to "contained use", meaning use in laboratories or industry, and "deliberate release" which includes field trials for research and placing products on the market. In addition, the EPA maintains a register of GMO users in Ireland.

This is available for public inspection. Currently, it has 58 entries, with 93 per cent of GMO users under the "contained use" heading.

The agency is considering the first two "notifications" in the latter category, which are applications for the release of genetically modified beet which is tolerant to the herbicide Glyphosate, produced by Monsanto as Roundup.

"In arriving at its decision the EPA will take into account advice received from the EPA's expert reviewers; advice received from the Advisory Committee on GMOs to the EPA, and also submissions received from interest groups and the public," an EPA spokeswoman said.

On labelling, she said: "The EPA believe that consumers have a right to know if a product contains GMOs or is derived from GMOs, and they have put this view to the European Commission. We are anxious that legislation on novel foods be put in place in Ireland as quickly as possible to further safeguard the consumer."

This legislation, which is required under EU law, is required to regulate GMO foods and food derived from GMOs. The Department of Health has been nominated as the `competent authority' to implement what is called the Novel Foods Regulation.

The legislation is due to take effect within two months. It requires that foodstuffs be specifically labelled if they contain material which may have implications for health, material which gives rise, to ethical concerns, or an organism that is genetically modified. But the Department has yet to bring forward the appropriate Bill.

The Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, has indicated that his Department would be participating in discussions at EU level on "the practicalities of the implementation process".

The EPA's overriding concern in looking at GMO applications is "to ensure that their use does not have an adverse effect on human health or the environment," the spokeswoman added.