Unapproved GM-contaminated rape sown here

The Department of Agriculture has admitted it planted oilseed rape only to discover it was accidentally contaminated by a genetically-modified variety of the crop developed in Canada, but not approved for EU markets.

It insisted yesterday the quantities were "very small", and there was no environmental risk or likelihood of cross-contamination with other crops. The Environmental Protection Agency declined to indicate the level of risk pending the completion of its investigation. The seed variety had been tested at three sites but not grown commercially.

The problem emerged after the EPA was asked by the Department of the Environment to check if any Irish rape seed may have come from batches accidentally contaminated by a GM variety and widely distributed throughout Europe.

Confirmation of the problem has caused turmoil in the EU rape oilseed market. The EPA is responsible for genetically-modified organism authorisations in the Republic on behalf of the Government and EU.

The check was initiated after it was confirmed that herbicide-resistant GM rape seed developed by Advanta found its way into ordinary seed distributed to many European farms over the past year.

In Britain, the seed was sown on 30,000 acres. The EPA found the same variety was planted in Ireland in 1998 as part of the Department of Agriculture's checking of a "variety testing" before it was listed in a national seed catalogue. It was not deemed suitable for growing here and was not listed.

The EPA said it was aware of public concern and wished to have the investigation completed as quickly as possible. Almost 6,000 acres of rape seed, also known as canola, were planted in the Republic last year. Most of it is exported to Britain for crushing to make oil, which is used in cooking and in the food industry, with the residue used in animal feed.

The company had confirmed that contaminated seed was planted in Britain, France, Germany and Sweden, only to later indicate that 2 kg of the seed was given to the Department of Agriculture. This was planted at its facilities in Ballinacurra, Midleton, Co Cork; Backweston, Leixlip, Co Kildare; and Kildalton College, run by Teagasc in Co Kilkenny. The crop was grown on less than one acre and was probably used in animal feed after harvesting.

Farmers in France and Sweden have been ordered to destroy the crop. But the British Ministry of Agriculture said it could only order its destruction if there was a threat to human health or the environment. Some British farmers burned their crops in response to public concern.

Teagasc's biotechnology expert, Dr Jim Burke, said there was no environmental risk as the crop was a hybrid, which invariably meant its seeds were sterile and produced next to no pollen.

The Green MEP, Ms Patricia McKenna, said she understood how the seed was accidentally planted, but if a precautionary approach had been in place and seeds had been checked sufficiently, the problem would not have arisen.

Her party colleague, Ms Nuala Ahern, said it appeared contamination of crops by genetic modification was widespread, which could end up with huge liability implications. "Biotech companies themselves should be held strictly accountable," she said. "An immediate import ban on all GM commodities should be implemented until a proper EU-wide inspection procedure is brought in at all points of entry into the EU."