THE Environmental Protection Agency has granted permission to the US chemical corporation Monsanto, to carry out trials for the production of genetically modified sugar beet in Ireland, "subject to strict conditions".
However, the Fianna Fail spokesman on the Environment Mr Noel Dempsey, expressed dismay, saying that in government his party would reverse the decision.
"Genetic engineering of crops is a huge nutritional experiment, with our population and environment as guinea pigs. The potential consequences are unknown and largely unknowable, the risk is unthinkable and unacceptable," said Mr Dempsey, who said he was tabling a Dail motion urging the Minister to overturn the EPA's decision.
Allowing the trials to proceed on land owned by Teagasc at Oakpark, Carlow, clears the way for production of the first genetically engineered food item in the State.
The technique involves the use of what is known as a genetically modified organism which is incorporated into the beet to make it resistant to Roundup, a herbicide containing glyphosate - it is manufactured by Monsanto.
The decision has been criticised by environmental interests who said they would step up their campaign for a moratonum on the use of genetically modified organisms in food production pending a fuller evaluation of their use.
The EPA stressed it had engaged in extensive consultation and taken on board environmental concerns contained in more than 190 submissions. It accepted, nonetheless, that "there is widespread concern about GMO use".
"Identical trials were carried out on 68 sites in seven European countries between 1992 and 1996. All the locations were monitored and no adverse effects were reported," an EPA spokeswoman said. It had incorporated the views of its National Advisory Committee on GMOs and consulted countries were trials had taken place.
"The beet is not for consumption but will be evaluated by Monsanto as regards yield, quality etc and will be destroyed each year.
The trials would be limited and would be contained in an area of less than one acre, the EPA said. It would monitor the site and it was satisfied they would not pose a threat to human health or the environment.
Monsanto had hoped to carry out trials at three locations, but when the EPA refused to grant confidentiality relating to private farms in Cork and Kilkenny, the company withdrew those applications, known under EU law as "notifications".
Its business manager for Ireland, Mr Sidney Reid, welcomed yesterday's outcome. The application fully complied with the EU Directive 9220 and was only the beginning of a four or five year process, he said. Monsanto had completed approximately 150 GMO trials on beet elsewhere.
"We understand public concern. We welcome informed debate. All we are doing is within the requirements of the EU directive. In a sense we are availing of rights. We are not forcing something that is unnatural. It's very clearly laid out what we can do.
Permission comes despite a strong environmental campaign mounted by the Green Party Greenpeace and Genetic Concern, an alliance supported by 16 consumer, environmental and agricultural groups.
The Green Party accused the EPA of "a cynical betrayal of the environment". Its spokeswoman on food and agriculture, Ms Paula Giles, said the EPA seemed to have "totally ignored the latest research which showed glyphosate residues occurring in drinking water, ground water and crops".
Mr Quentin Gargan of Genetic Concern said: "No one anticipated the grave consequences of feeding bone meal to cattle before BSE was discovered. With GMOs, we must learn from past mistakes and err on the side of caution."
