2007-06-05 | permalink

Irish GE crops ban estimated to cost 7 to 40 Mill EUR

This analysis provides an assessment of the likely impact on profitability of a ban on the use and production of GM crops in Ireland. Dr Thorne said:”From this research it is clear that the likely costs to the livestock industry in particular are significant, when a total ban on the import and cultivation of GM crops is considered. While the net benefit, for crop, livestock and dairy farms, resulting from the growing of GM cereal crops is not as significant as the benefits arising from the use of imported sources of GM soyabean and maize, it is important not to consider these two scenarios in isolation from each other.” The net economic cost, if Ireland adopted a voluntary ban on the import and cultivation of GM crops is estimated to be approximately €7 million per annum, rising to nearly €40 million per annum when different scenarios were analysed.

• Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Ireland: Teagasc highlight the economic implications of GM crop technology in Irish agriculture