Sir, – Darina Allen’s letter on GM crops (July 28th) is either blatant disinformation or stunning ignorance. Contrary to her claims, the blight-resistant GM potato trials are not a result of multi-nationals “getting their way” as it is Teagasc, an independent State research body, which is to carry out the trials.
Further, Ms Allen’s assertion that there will be “likely effects on insect life, eg bees” is pure scaremongering as the GM potatoes to be tested protect against blight (which is a fungus) and they have no new ability to impact insect life.
Lastly, her suggestion that Ireland’s green food image is damaged by the trials is actually the opposite as the GM potatoes in question could help cut the 250,000lbs of toxic fungicide used annually against potato blight in Ireland which could certainly enhance the image of Irish agriculture as truly green and sustainable.
Ms Allen has shown yet again that taking crop science advice from celebrity chefs is like taking tax advice from those who do the art on your tenner euro. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – John Joe Costin’s letter (July 28th) is misleading.
Plant breeding has already given us the fully blight resistant and tasty Sarpo Mira variety. So no thanks, we don’t need to be saved by GM on that score.
The implication that, had we had a blight resistant potato variety back in 1845, our subsequent history would have been “nicer, kinder and less painful . . .” doesn’t wash either. Maybe Mr Costin could explain just how, in 1845, a GM blight-resistant potato could have protected us from an economic and political situation in which a great part of the abundant food harvest was exported, often under armed guard while so many starved?
Maybe the GM advocates should, in future, put their energies into the production of BS- resistant red herrings. – Yours, etc,