Dublin, Ireland
April 30, 2007
A seminar on issues associated
with genetically modified (GM) crop technology in Irish
agriculture was recently held in Dublin. The event was organised
by Teagasc, Rural Economy
Research Centre, in association with the Agricultural Economics
Society of Ireland and the Agricultural Science Association.
Presently, no GM crops are cultivated in Ireland. However, it is
anticipated that the introduction of co-existence guidelines
could encourage the uptake of certain GM varieties. Hence, this
timely seminar focused on regulatory, management and economic
issues that will become increasingly important in the debate on
the implications of GM technology for Irish agriculture.
Mr Gerry Lohan, Department of Agriculture and Food, discussed
the regulatory issues in relation to GM crop technology and the
co-existence of GM and non-GM crops in Irish agriculture, while
Dr Ewen Mullins of Teagasc Crops Research Centre, outlined
findings from recent research on GM crop technology in Ireland.
Dr Fiona Thorne, Teagasc Rural Economy Centre, presented
research findings from an inter-disciplinary project which
examined the potential economic implications for Ireland of a
voluntary adoption of a GM-free island.
This analysis provides an assessment of the likely impact on
profitability of a ban on the use and production of GM crops in
Ireland. Dr Thorne said:” From this research it is clear that
the likely costs to the livestock industry in particular are
significant, when a total ban on the import and cultivation of
GM crops is considered. While the net benefit, for crop,
livestock and dairy farms, resulting from the growing of GM
cereal crops is not as significant as the benefits arising from
the use of imported sources of GM soyabean and maize, it is
important not to consider these two scenarios in isolation from
each other.”
The net economic cost, if Ireland adopted a voluntary ban on the
import and cultivation of GM crops is estimated to be
approximately €7 million per annum, rising to nearly €40 million
per annum when different scenarios were analysed. The cost, for
cereal farms and specialist dairy and beef farms was considered
in aggregate.
It is important to note that this report does not attempt to
forecast changes in market prices or demand, if there were
increased levels of GM crop technology adopted by agriculture in
Ireland and overseas. Hence, the results of the study cannot be
used to forecast either future market prices or the demand for
GM and non-GM crops. |
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