The Environmental Protection Agency has denied a Green Party accusation that it is withholding information on test results on the growth of the first genetically modified crop grown in Ireland.
The EPA confirmed that a request by the party for monitoring results on the growth of genetically modified sugar beet, grown in Co Carlow, had been referred to its legal advisers. The agency, nonetheless, had always supplied information which was available under the Freedom of Information Act to the Green Party and others, director, Dr Anne Butler, said.
"The Green Party is prejudging our record," she said. "We were given no time. We indicated we were considering the request as we are entitled to do."
She was responding to a statement by the Green Party spokeswoman on food and agriculture, Ms Paula Giles, who claimed their request for monthly reports on the Monsanto beet trial had not been responded to as anticipated, which suggested there was "a huge question mark over the availability of information and the commitment of the EPA to openness and transparency".
Ms Giles expressed "grave reservations" about the involvement of the European Commission in supporting and part-funding a symposium for genetically modified organism (GMO) users later this week in Dublin. She expressed disquiet that the agency had refused to hold an oral hearing into the Monsanto application despite 200 objections to its seeking of a licence, and had postponed a public seminar.
"The European Commission has been an uncritical promoter of genetic engineering and has attempted to railroad through European legislation favourable to the genetic industry," she claimed.
Dr Butler said, however, that the Monsanto application issue and what was an international conference on GMO regulation, aimed at the large number of GMO users throughout the EU, were entirely different. "This is an important conference which has been two years in planning with the Commission. It is geared at GMO users. It is important that they know about the regulations and risk assessment. This was planned long before the Monsanto application."
Irish legislation did not allow for an oral hearing relating to a GMO licence application. The forum had to be postponed "with great regret" because of the legal action by the environmental group, Genetic Concern, she said. The EPA had taken a balanced view while subject to many legal constraints on its role as the designated GMO regulator in Ireland.
Some 99 per cent of GMO use was in laboratories but the Green Party, Dr Butler said, had a preoccupation with crop trials.
