Ireland's top chefs want the Government to declare Ireland a GM-free zone, and have expressed their opposition to the introduction of genetically-modified foods and crops into Ireland.
Euro-Toques Ireland, whose members include top chefs from throughout Ireland and Europe, aims to protect the quality, diversity and flavour of our food and to promote indigenous and traditional production methods.
The commissioner-general of Euro-Toques Ireland, Mr Ross Lewis, said Euro-Toques has seen an overwhelming concern growing amongst its members and their customers over the past few years about the future of our food, and it is felt that GM poses a very serious threat in this regard.
"Not only are there the obvious risks related to the uncertainty surrounding the effects of GMOs on human and animal health and on the eco-system, GM products also pose a serious threat to the diversity of our food," he said.
The main concern in relation to the question of introducing GM crops was one of choice; cross-contamination with organic and conventional crops would inevitably occur which meant consumers will have no choice about eating GM foods.
"In our experience people are increasingly looking for traditionally and naturally-produced foods; they simply don't want GM products. Euro-Toques is calling on the Government to listen to consumers, and to declare Ireland a GM-free zone," he said.
However, at a briefing for journalists last week in Brussels, the Irish Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, Mr David Byrne, said it was likely that in the next few weeks the Commission would allow the sale of genetically-grown tinned sweetcorn in the union.
The official line was that there was no scientific evidence that GM-produced foods were harmful to public health, and it was only on that basis that GM imports could be banned.