The Irish Grain Growers' Association (IGGA) is calling for a law change to ban imports of palm kernel, palm oil and GMO soya and maize. The organisation pointed out that climate change was a key topic of MEP candidates and the growing of crops in Brazil was an issue for deforestation.

It also stated that Irish consumers could be eating foods treated with pesticides which were banned in Ireland and the EU some 30 years ago.

Imports

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“In the past year alone, we imported up to seven million tonne of grains in some form into Ireland and this figure is set to rise with current policy,” the IGGA said.

“The ships of grain arrived from faraway places like Ukraine, Canada and South America. Six-hundred to seven-hundred lorries a day are needed to transport this grain in Ireland. Where does that put us when it comes to food miles?” the organisation asked.

It insisted that banning these imports would help the homegrown tillage industry, other sectors in agriculture and climate action in the country.

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