Consumer body criticises 'scare tactics' on GM foods
The Irish Times FRONT PAGE
Thursday, February 25, 1999
By Kevin O'Sullivan, Environmental and Food Science
Correspondent
The main body representing Irish consumers has strongly
criticised the "use of scare tactics to dissuade consumers from
buying genetically modified (GM) foods".
The Consumers' Association of Ireland has said, nonetheless,
that people "should not be force-fed these products" facilitated
by way of unlabelled products on supermarket shelves. In a
response to growing public concerns surrounding GM foods, it
underlined consumers' fundamental right to know what they are
eating, and to know that it is safe.
"In the absence of solid proof that GM foods are dangerous, we
believe the decision to buy these products should lie with the
consumer. Labelling is vital to make a clear decision. As an
independent body, we feel it's not right to use scare tactics to
dissuade consumers from consuming GM foods," a CAI
statement said.
The CAI said it was not against GM foods in principle, nor did it
suggest that GM food and GM ingredients are in any general
sense unsafe. However, consumers, the CAI added, had "the
fundamental right to have the option of a GM-free alternative, if
they so choose" when buying food. This could be exercised only
if information was provided with details about the process of
gene technology in a prescribed format. Under current EU
labelling arrangements, most GM products do not have to be
labelled, though more wide-ranging regulations are to be
introduced this year.
On the "crucial questions", whether the Government should ban
GM foods until scientific evidence that they are harmless, or
whether these products should be kept on the market until
science has identified real dangers, the CAI concluded there
was no right answer.
"If we ban GM foods, we are limiting consumer choice, and
even after a ban and extensive testing, there may still be no
conclusive evidence of a health risk. The alternative is to
authorise GM foods that have followed strict regulations and
clearly label those products while conventional products remain
available."
Young Fine Gael has rejected as "emotive and un-founded"
comparisons of modern biotechnology with technologies such as
the nuclear industry. In its new policy document on GM foods, it
advocates "a progressive, balanced and considered
biotechnology policy for the future" and rejects the "Jurassic
Park-type view of genetic modification" which has taken hold in
many consumers.
Green MEP Ms Nuala Ahern said the CAI stance contradicted
that of European and British consumer associations "who have
all called for moratoriums on GM crop development, particularly
in light of recent scientific reports".
The Green Party has pointed out that Greens in the European
Parliament backed key elements of the Bowe Report recently,
such as new demands for full GM product liability and more
extensive labelling, but in a formal vote on the overall report
voted against it because of reservations about some aspects.
Green MEPs, nonetheless, allowed the report - which sets out
reforms of EU regulations on the release of GM organisms -
proceed to the next stage of the EU legislative process.
irish-times.com |
