An attempt by the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, to defuse controversy over the development of genetically modified foods in the Republic by staging of a series of public debates has been dismissed as "totally inadequate" by Genetic Concern.
The main group campaigning against GM crop tests said the Government's strategy was "unbalanced and incapable of addressing the issue of genetic engineering in Ireland".
A forum to oversee debates on "genetically modified organisms and the environment" is to be set up. It allows for an input from the biotechnology industry, opponents of gene technology, State bodies and scientists. It will be overseen by an independent chairman, who will report to the Government before a national policy is finalised.
A Genetic Concern spokesman said the make-up of the forum failed to represent adequately public concern about gene technology. "Out of a panel of eight contributors, only two will be representing public concern," Mr Quentin Gargan said. "Genetic engineering is a critical issue for Irish food and agriculture, and decisions about our future should be representative of the views of ordinary people of Ireland, not the views of experts whose careers depend on the technology."
Participants will be involved in a two-part debate process. The first will set the agenda for discussion and the second will involve "the substantive debate", with input from two nominated representatives from industry, academia and non-governmental organisations, including Genetic Concern. Participants will be allowed to raise only a limited number of issues.
The forum follows publication by Mr Dempsey in August of a consultation paper which spelt out public concerns, noted shortcomings in EU labelling provisions for GM foods and under lined the potential of biotechnology for Ireland. Some 200 submissions were received in response.
Genetic Concern has urged Mr Dempsey to replace the forum with a consensus conference similar to those held in Norway and France, in which a panel of lay people is briefed by experts from both sides and allowed to draw conclusions, the basis of which formulates government policy. The leading developers of GM crops, Monsanto, welcomed the Government's approach. Its spokesman, Dr Patrick O'Reilly, said: "We have already made a significant presentation in writing to the Minister on the issue and look forward to having an input to the public debate."
While welcoming the public consultation process, Socialist Party TD Mr Joe Higgins said the Government was "doing things the wrong way round". Tests on GM crops were being carried out despite public concern, and GM foods were already on supermarket shelves.
Green MEP Ms Nuala Ahern welcomed Mr Dempsey's initiative but said the level of concern warranted a moratorium on GM food development, pending a full evaluation of its risks. There was a strong possibility that the process would be overtaken by events in Europe, with an imminent revision of the 90/220 directive, she warned. Ms Ahern, nonetheless, criticised the European Parliament's environment committee vote last week on amendments to the directive which, she claimed, were insufficient to protect the environment.
