Reuters | October 11, 1999
DUBLIN - The Irish government has approved a cautious policy towards the growing of genetically modified organisms after a report on the controversial food technology, according to a government statement received on Monday.
"The scientific evidence presented to us does not suggest that, so far, the use of genetic modification technologies in agricultural crops has produced any harmful effects on human health or the environment," the report said.
The accompanying statement said Environment Minister Noel Dempsey would use the report as the basis for a "positive but precautionary" approach.
"I have concluded the national environmental policy on the deliberate release of GMOs must be balanced in terms of environmental protection and socio-economic considerations. I place primary emphasis on precaution well grounded on scientific risk assessment and management," he said.
The independent panel of experts which produced the report said Ireland could not afford to ignore the reality or potential of modern biotechnology, but emphasised the need for caution.
The report's recommendations included the presence of a consumer representative on the government's GMO advisory committee, and a greater effort by state agencies to provide public information on GM foods.
Copyright 1999 Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved.
