The Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association

Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association

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Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association

Organic Certification at its best

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Minister Smith’s Decision Ignores Consumer Demands And Compromises Thriving Export Markets

9 February 2011 By Editor

The decision made by Minister Smith today to back the EU Commissions proposal to scrap the “zero tolerance” food safety policy which protects consumers and livestock from contamination by unapproved GM ingredients is a short sighted move by an outgoing Minister which will have far reaching consequences.

EU consumers have continually stated that they do not wish to have GM ingredients in the human food chain. The fact that the EU (now supported by the Irish government) is bowing to pressure from the GM multi-nationals (mainly based in the US) does not bode well for EU consumers. “Public opinion needs to be listened to and policy makers need to implement legislation which reflects the wishes of the people not the multi-nationals otherwise Europe and its 27 members cannot call itself a true democracy” said Grace Maher Development Officer with IOFGA.

In the past number of years policy in Ireland has been moving to introduce stricter laws on the use of GM feed and by-products and also to introduce a GM free label for livestock products fed on a non GM diet. Farmers and producers are supplying consumer demand both in Ireland and abroad for non GM products. In a time when exports from the agricultural sector are being sold as the major success story of the Irish economy for 2010 the move today by an outgoing Minister seriously threatens the thriving export market for both organic and conventional beef and lamb producers in Ireland.

– ENDS –

The Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland representing approx 1,150 farmers, growers and processors. It is responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOFGA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard or organic integrity.

For more information contact

Grace Maher Development Officer IOFGA Tel 087 6125989

Filed Under: Press Releases

About IOFGA

©IOFGA (Irish Organic Farmers and Growers Association) is Ireland’s leading organic certification body dedicated to certifying organic produce and products throughout Ireland.

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IOFGA

Providing organic certification for famers, growers, processors and retailers while working to promote organic food and farming in Ireland.

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Read IOFGA's latest article in the Farming Independent on how a new strategy for the sector is in the offing and how opportunities are available to Irish farmers ... See MoreSee Less

Cork cereal grower onto a winner by selling surplus produce to fellow organic farmers

independent.ie

Brian O' Regan farms in Dunderrow just outside of Kinsale. A tillage and poultry farmer, he converted the tillage operation to organic production back in 2008.

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Contact

Tel: (+353) 090 643 3680
Fax: (+353) 090 644 9005
Email: info@iofga.org

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Mon – Fri
9am – 5pm.

closed 1 – 2pm

Address

Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association
Company Limited by Guarantee
Unit 13 Inish Carraig
Golden Island
Athlone
Co. Westmeath
Ireland.
N37 N1W4

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