Grain growers seek Irish ban on palm and GMO feed products

In addition, the grain could contain pesticides Ireland has banned for years.

“Irish supermarketsshould lead the way and plan to clear their shelves of palm kernels, palm oil, GMO soya [byproducts] and GMO maize-related products within a year,” the group said.

Irish grain farmers, concerned about the decline of tillage acreage as well as global climate change impacts, are pushing an agenda as upcoming local and EU elections loom.

The Irish Grain Growers’ Group (IGGG) is calling for a ban on palm kernel, palm oil, and GM soy and GM corn products, coming mainly from Brazil—where deforestation has destroyed rain forests and furthered species extinctions. The import of nearly seven million tons of grain from the Ukraine, Canada, and South America into Ireland last year resulted in a large number of transportation miles and is illogical, IGGG notes.

Another goal is to double tillage acreage, with help from CAP reform. Lastly, the group says the dairy and meat industries need to enforce a ban on these products as feed for livestock.

Source: Agriland

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