The decision to ban the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in Northern Ireland could be over-turned after it emerged that the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan may have overstepped his remit when announcing his plans.They came by way of a press statement on 21 September, which outlined the reasons why the decision was taken, such as the possibility of contamination of other non-GM crops.
The decision to ban the growing of genetically modified (GM) crops in Northern Ireland could be over-turned after it emerged that the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan may have overstepped his remit when announcing his plans.
They came by way of a press statement on 21 September, which outlined the reasons why the decision was taken, such as the possibility of contamination of other non-GM crops.
However, it now looks as though Minister Durkan might have to backtrack from his position. The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the minister is now in receipt of a letter signed off by the acting First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.
In it, they tell Minister Durkan that the growing of GM crops in Northern Ireland is both a significant and controversial issue and, as such, they consider that it should be put before the NI Executive at Stormont, with a view to formulating an agreed position.
The story has many similarities to the situation at the end of 2013 when the DUP blocked Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill’s decision to transfer money from direct payments into rural development. That particular case ended up in court, but set an important precedent that individual ministers cannot take decisions that potentially have a wider impact, without consulting others.
Shock
The issue of GM crops was also discussed this week when the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) met MLAs at Stormont. During the meeting, representatives from the trade body described their shock at the decision to ban the growing of GM crops in Northern Ireland and outlined their disappointment that they were not consulted before the announcement was made.
“I did urge some caution to the minister – I am big enough to say that,” responded the minister’s party colleague and vice-chair of the Stormont agriculture committee, Joe Byrne.
However, the main issue for NIGTA is not that the growing of GM crops has been banned in Northern Ireland, but the potential precedent set given that the EU is currently discussing giving regions the option to ban the import of GM materials.
With 99% of global soya classed as GM, and the poultry sector in particular highly dependent on the product, it would be impractical for Northern Ireland to ban GM imports, argued the NIGTA representatives.
Meanwhile, in Brussels on Tuesday, MEPs on the European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee voted against allowing regions to restrict imports of GM crops. A full vote on the proposal is expected at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the end of the month.
The story has many similarities to the situation at the end of 2013 when the DUP blocked Agriculture Minister Michelle O’Neill’s decision to transfer money from direct payments into rural development. That particular case ended up in court, but set an important precedent that individual ministers cannot take decisions that potentially have a wider impact, without consulting others.
Shock
The issue of GM crops was also discussed this week when the Northern Ireland Grain Trade Association (NIGTA) met MLAs at Stormont. During the meeting, representatives from the trade body described their shock at the decision to ban the growing of GM crops in Northern Ireland and outlined their disappointment that they were not consulted before the announcement was made.
“I did urge some caution to the minister – I am big enough to say that,” responded the minister’s party colleague and vice-chair of the Stormont agriculture committee, Joe Byrne.
However, the main issue for NIGTA is not that the growing of GM crops has been banned in Northern Ireland, but the potential precedent set given that the EU is currently discussing giving regions the option to ban the import of GM materials.
With 99% of global soya classed as GM, and the poultry sector in particular highly dependent on the product, it would be impractical for Northern Ireland to ban GM imports, argued the NIGTA representatives.
Meanwhile, in Brussels on Tuesday, MEPs on the European Parliament’s Environment and Public Health Committee voted against allowing regions to restrict imports of GM crops. A full vote on the proposal is expected at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the end of the month.
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