Minister Votes To Allow GM Products Into Ireland

Brussels Vote Signals Major Policy Change For Ireland

In a vote on Tuesday in Brussels minister Brendan Smith initiated a major change in Irish policy on GM products. It's not clear what led to the change.

In a period when Fianna Fail are in a caretaker role until the new government is installed the introduction of such a major policy change which the new government will be tasked with overseeing without any consultation is highly unusual. In his explanation of the change John Brennan, chairperson of the Western Organic Network, Greenbox and Ecotourism said "Brendan Smith is in an area (Cavan/Monaghan) where the pig and poultry industry is very strong and he's running for his life. That's what's happening. This premise has been put out that the future of the Irish Pig and Poultry Industry is dependent on cheap genetically modified soya being available. Now the pig industry is collapsing and so is the poultry industry for a whole myriad of other reasons other than simply GM. He thinks this will save his hide with the pig and poultry farmers."

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