Following a recent meeting of the Water and Environmental Strategic Policy Committee of Wicklow County Council, Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, has called on the council to declare County Wicklow a GMO-free zone. De Burca made her comments after a presentation was made to the Committee by a spokesman for the GM-free Ireland Network.

“Mr Michael o Callaghan of the GM-free Ireland Network told us that 8 county councils including Cavan, Clare, Meath, Kerry, Roscommon, Monaghan and Fermanagh County Councils have all declared their counties to be GMO-free zones” says de Burca. “It is clear that County Wicklow should do the same as protecting our County’s current GMO-free status is vital for the health of future generations and for the long-term economic advantage of our farm, food and tourism industries”.

De Burca says that the inevitable cross-contamination caused by the introduction of GMOs into the county will seriously undermine the growing organic sector in County Wicklow. “Research carried out by the GM-free Ireland Network shows that County Wicklow has one of the highest concentrations of organic farms, restaurants and markets in the country” says de Burca.” It is vital that we recognise the huge economic potential of this sector and act to protect it by declaring County Wicklow a GMO-free zone. Furthermore, keeping Ireland GMO free makes economic sense. The vast majority of European food brands, retailers and consumers refuse GM food. 100 regional governments and 3,500 local authorities in 22 EU countries prohibit GMO crops. Our island status can make Irish produce the most credible GM-free food in the EU”

The Green Party councillor is calling on her fellow-councillors to pass a motion on Wicklow County Council to prohibit the release of GMO seeds crops etc in County Wicklow. She is also calling for Wicklow County Council to exclude funding for the procurement of food containing GM ingredients in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, canteens etc. “It is my hope that councillors will see the economic, consumer and health benefits in making Co Wicklow a GMO free zone” says de Burca