The EU decision to allow the production and sale of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) has been strongly criticised by the Green Party and environmentalists.
The EU Commission has approved two new laws relating to GMOs which were presented to it by the EU food safety commissioner, Mr David Byrne.
Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna rejected assertions by Mr Byrne that consumers would have the choice to buy GMOs or not.
She said Mr Byrne had shown "complete disregard for the serious environmental risks posed by GM foods".
These included "the risk of cross-pollination and contamination of non-GM and organic crops".
Dr Ruth McGrath, spokeswoman for the environmental organisation Voice, said she was "astounded" at the proposals. She alleged Mr Byrne had "caved in to pressure from the industry". Decisions to allow the sale of GMOs went against the wishes of the public, she claimed.
"Why do consumers have to have a choice?" she said. "We don't need them [GMOs]. The consumer will not benefit. The industry benefits," she said. This added, she said, to pressure on farmers to plant GM crops. "In practical terms, there may not be a choice," she said.
Ms McKenna said the Commission's new GM proposals "appeared to be yet another attempt at allaying consumers' justified fears and appeasing the biotechnology industry".
Mr Byrne, writing in yesterday's Irish Independent, said that under clear supervision there was no reason for consumers to fear GM foods.
"The top scientists in Europe, independent of politics or industry, will vet GMOs to make sure there is no risk to your health, the health of animals or to the environment," he wrote.
Referring to the article, Ms McKenna said: "The new proposals failed to address key issues such as contamination of non-GM crops and environmental liability and could not guarantee food products which are completely GMO-free.
"It is misleading to say that consumers have choice when it is clearly not the case," she said.
"Once the genie is out of the bottle, there is no way back. It is essential that greater safeguards be put in place before proceeding with growing and selling new GM products.
"There are still many questions unanswered on this and the least Mr Byrne could do is apply the precautionary principle," Ms McKenna said.