Ireland To Be A GM Crop-Free Zone In Europe

Speaking at a meeting of EU Environment Ministers in  Luxembourg last week, the new Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D., indicated Ireland's opposition to proposals to introduce GM  products.

"Ireland's position on GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) is now in line with the new programme for Government which seeks a GM free Ireland," said Minister Gormley.

The Minister also emphasised the importance of improving waste management in Ireland so as to reduce our reliance on exports of waste.

"As Ireland's first Green Minister for the Environment I want to ensure we have a sustainable waste policy going forward," he said. 

"I want to ensure that incineration is no longer the cornerstone of waste policy in Ireland," he added. 

Political agreement was reached on a new waste directive at today's meeting.

"While I could welcome many elements of the directive I emphasised an issue of major concern to Ireland and I have put it on the record that Ireland considers that incineration must always be defined as disposal.

"Its definition as recovery within this directive will undermine efforts to promote a recycling society and the promotion of reduction and reuse within the waste hierarchy," continued Minister Gormley.

"I am delighted to have attended my first Environment Council meeting and will have a hands-on-approach to the important policies that will eventually shape how the Irish public live, conduct business and how they might do this with the least impact on our precious environment", concluded the Minister.