Ireland's "positive but precautionary" approach to genetically modified foods is unlikely to lead to GM crops being grown here in the near future, according to Government sources.
The issue of GMO crops being grown here follows the decision in Britain to allow GM forage maize to be grown there following an EU decision to allow member-states decide on the issue nationally.
While Irish Department of the Environment officials voted with the UK, Netherlands, Spain, Finland and Sweden to authorise the importation of a modified strain of sweetcorn, Bt11, the matter has been referred for decision to the Farm Ministers meeting on April 26th next.
If the Farm Council decides to authorise importation of the sweetcorn, it will clear the way for greater imports of GM foods when strict new EU rules on labelling GM foods come into place later this month.
The Department of Agriculture and Food said yesterday that an inter-departmental group is currently involved in drawing up a protocol for the co-existence of GM and conventional crops but no time-limit has been placed on completing this report.
No applications have been made to the Environment Protection Agency for the licence necessary to grow a GM crop.
The chemical company, Monsanto, has grown some trial crops of beet in Munster but no more trials have taken place since they were attacked some years ago.
Industry sources said growing GM crops here would not rest easily alongside our marketing strategy of selling Ireland as "the Green Island".