In a recent press statement The (UK) National Beef Association called for all resistance to GM crops, at both UK and EU level, to be abandoned immediately. This is a very short sighted view on agriculture and GM crops and one which is clearly ill informed.

GM lobbyists have been promising the miracles of GM technology for over 2 decades. To date they have seriously failed to deliver on all of their promises. Billions of euros have been invested, and still this technology is rejected by people, farmers, and policy makers all over the world.

International trials of GM cultivation have shown that:
• Yields have not increased as promised.
• Reliance on pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers has increased – not decreased as promised.
• Weeds and pests have developed resistance to GM crops and pesticides resulting in ‘superweeds’ and ‘superbugs’ that need even larger amounts of herbicides and pesticides.
• There have been problems with cross contamination and cross fertilisation between GM and non-GM crops. These have led to sometimes lengthy law suits and are a potentially explosive problem if more GM crops are planted.
• This technology is expensive and costly for farmers and makes them more dependent on the agribusiness giants in order to sustain a livelihood.
• There are proven health risks associated with GM technology. In 1998 Scottish scientists found damage to every single internal organ in rats fed blight resistant GM potatoes. There are many more such examples illustrating very serious concerns with GM food.
• GM technology has not reduced levels of world hunger as promised. In fact, it has made poor farmers more indebted and less self sufficient and consequently more food insecure than ever before.

The most convincing argument of all is that consumers throughout Europe have consistently voted against growing GM crops. The persistent consumer view combined with the failure of the GM industry to deliver on its promises are the only consistent features of the GM crop saga to date.

It is true that the era of cheap food is over – on account of rising production and fuel costs. However, this also shows that we should be moving away from oil based food production such as GM and embracing sustainable methods like organic farming – based on renewable energy and carbon reduction.

IOA Press Release issued by Grace Maher, Development Officer grace.maher@iofga.org Tel 087 6125989

IOA (Irish Organic Association ) reports that the European Union has launched an EU wide student competition to develop a new organic logo which will be used on organic products across Europe. The aim is to attract entries from art and design students from across the EU. To enter you must be over 18 and a registered student of art or design and all entries must be submitted electronically. Entry is free and the best designs will be selected by a jury consisting of a panel of experts from the fields of art, graphic design and organic farming from different EU countries. Those designs shortlisted will be uploaded to the web and people from across the EU will be able to vote for their favourite entry. The deadline for receipt of entries is June 25th and the winner will receive a prize of 6,000 euro with the runner up receiving 3,500 euro and a third prize of 2,500. All information on the competition and how to enter is available on www.ec.europa.eu/organic-logo

Kate Carmody, Chairperson of IOA commented, ‘This is a great opportunity for young Irish artists and designers to come up with a logo which will be used on organic products across Europe. Quite apart from the prize money, it’s a real opportunity to showcase their creativity and help promote the benefits of organic food. We hope there will be a very strong Irish entry. If anyone is thinking of entering and wants to get some ideas about organic methods and what is happening in organics in Ireland they should go to the Organic Matters or IOA websites which have a good range of articles and other information available.’

The Irish Organic Association (IOFGA) is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland representing approx 1,000 farmers, growers and processors. It is responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard of organic integrity. IOA also works to inform the public about the benefits or organic food and to support the development of organic food production in Ireland.

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For further information contact:

Kate Carmody Chairperson IOA 086 8239582

Issued by:

John O’Neill Tel 087 612 5989

Duine le gaeilge ar fáil mar urlabhraí más gá : Seán Ó Néill 087 612 5989

The Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association (IOFGA) welcomes the EU Directive to outlaw the cages currently used in battery egg production in three years time.

A spokesman for IOA said, ‘Most consumers of battery eggs don’t realise the conditions in which the poultry used to produce these eggs are kept. On these factory farms, birds are kept in cages in cramped, windowless sheds. Each cage typically houses four to five birds and each has only as much space as an A4 piece of paper. Apart from the very real animal welfare issues, in Ireland we have got to move to higher quality production such as organic and away from commodity type production. Given our higher wages and other costs we simply cannot compete with output from low wage countries. Operating to a higher standard has the potential to give Irish faming a marketing advantage in overseas markets. However, whilst welcoming the Directive, IOA recognises that it is important that the EU also puts in place adequate controls on imports from outside the EU to ensure that farmers operating to higher standards within the EU do not face unfair competition.’

In contrast with battery production all poultry on IOA certified organic farms must have access to outside ranges and pasture with an emphasis on enabling the birds to express their natural behaviour. Unlike intensively reared birds, organic poultry can’t be given routine doses of antibiotics which weaken the animals natural immune system so increasing the reliance on drugs.

A study in the UK on commercial laying farms indicates that Salmonella levels are five times higher in intensive egg units than in organic units. (published in The Veterinary Record (2007) 161 471 – 476) Whilst Salmonella food poisoning can be avoided through the proper cooking of eggs and meat, anything which reduces the incidence of this bug should be encouraged – such as genuine organic egg production.

The Irish rganic Farmers and Growers Association (IOFGA) is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland representing approx 1,000 farmers, growers and processors. It is responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard or organic integrity. IOA also works to inform the public about the benefits or organic food and to support the development of organic food production in Ireland.

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For further information contact:

John O’Neill Tel 087 612 5989

The Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association (IOFGA) reports that sales of organic food continue to grow strongly in Ireland despite the recession. Feedback from members of IOA that sales have continued to grow this year have been supported by the latest survey figures released by Bord Bia. These compared sales of organic food in shops and supermarkets for the 12 week period to the end of January 2009 with those for the same period to the end of January 2008. This indicates that sales have grown in value terms by 11% year on year. This compares with 2.7% growth for non organic food. The fact that people who purchase organic food are committed to the organic option was confirmed by the results of a survey that indicated that two thirds of those who purchase organic food said that their purchases would stay at the same level or grow this year despite the downturn..

The experience of organic farmer Jimmy Mulhall who is based in Co Laois near Carlow town backs up these figures. He produces organic pork, lamb and beef on Coolanowle Organic Farm. He sells his produce at seven markets in Contarf, Ranelagh, Leopardstown, Skerries, Carlow, Kilkenny and Portlaoise and also at www.organicmeat.ie. He reports that after a slight dip in November sales are up since Christmas and his sales are growing ahead of the rate reported by Bord Bia. He puts this down to people purchasing top quality organic meat as they substitute dining in for eating out in restaurants as they watch their budgets more closely. The Mulhalls also use their home produced meat to supply visitors to their guesthouse and self catering accommodation for which they won the Best breakfast in Ireland Award in 2008 from Good Food Ireland.

Kate Carmody Chairperson of IOA stated,’ Organic food sales continue to grow as people look for quality produce even when money is tight. It confirms that the organic message of support for the highest standards of animal welfare, pesticides free farming, supporting biodiversity and sustainable farming is increasingly important to Irish consumers even in difficult economic times. It also points to opportunities for conventional farmers to explore the organic option. The success of organic farmers like Jimmy Mulhall illustrates the potential which exists for finding new ways of selling produce direct to the consumer cutting out he middleman.’

Note to editors

The Irish Organic Association (IOFGA) is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland representing approx 1,000 farmers, growers and processors. It is responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard or organic integrity. IOA also works to inform the public about the benefits or organic food and to support the development of organic food production in Ireland. Further information on IOA is available on www.iofga.org. IOA publishes six times a year its popular magazine Organic Matters. Articles from back issues of the magazine may be found at www.irishorganic.ie

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For further information contact:

Kate Carmody tel 086 8239582

Jimmy Mulhall www.coolanowle.com 0872738061

Issued by John O’Neill Tel 087 612 5989 or john.oneill@iofga.org

The Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association (IOFGA) is urging its members and communities across the country to support local farmers and food producers in their areas in response to the current economic difficulties. This is something practical that we can all do to make a small positive difference to our local economy.

Kate Carmody Chairperson of IOA stated,’ IOA is calling on our own members and communities across the country to make a point of adding some local produce to their weekly shopping. Buying some local food produced by our neighbours represents a small practical step that we can all take as individuals to help support our local economy in these difficult times. Many people feel powerless in the face of the torrent of bad news about the economy and it is very important for our morale to know that we can each make a difference as individuals. We are urging people to buy some local food from organic farmers if possible but in any case from their local area. Now more than ever, we also need to support local farmers markets, box schemes, local bakeries and local artisan food producers. There are economic, social and environmental benefits to supporting local food enterprises and developing a local food economy which will prove more sustainable and resilient in the future.’

The Irish Organic Association (IOFGA) is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland representing approx 1,000 farmers, growers and processors. It is responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard or organic integrity. IOA also works to inform the public about the benefits or organic food and to support the development of organic food production in Ireland. Further information on IOA is available on www.iofga.org. IOA publishes six times a year its popular magazine Organic Matters. Articles from back issues of the magazine may be found at www.irishoranic.ie

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For further information contact:

Kate Carmody tel 086 8239582

Issued by John O’Neill Tel 087 612 5989 or john.oneill@iofga.org