Irish crop trials on genetically modified sugar beet have shown that pesticide usage could be reduced by 40 per cent on the GM variety because of its weed-control benefits, according to the biotechnology company, Monsanto.
The field trials were carried out by the US company whose trials were disrupted by anti-GM protesters last year.
Dr Patrick O'Reilly, Monsanto's general manager in the Republic, said the trials showed excellent weed control and significant yield increases. The sugar beet root weights increased by 20 per cent compared with the standard beet growing programme, he added.
Dr O'Reilly said this was the fourth year in succession that the trials had shown such good results. "The results confirm that this new technology will be of significant benefit to growers in Ireland."
Last year, six out of seven environmentalists who admitted damaging a test plot near Arthurstown, Co Wexford, were convicted but the Probation Act was applied - the seventh was bound to the peace.
Dr O'Reilly said all of the trials performed this year were successfully completed and "those people who had destroyed valid and important research trials in previous years were not allowed to dictate the agenda".
He said it was now up to the beet growers to encourage the Department of Agriculture and Irish Sugar Plc to start testing these varieties. Dr O'Reilly added that the varieties were in "recommended list trials" in Britain and other countries for some years.
