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Brexit provides a unique opportunity to develop a GM-free Irish food chain, according to the Irish Grain Growers (IGG).
“We must consider indigenous food and feed production, a closed loop system where we can stand over every part of the food chain,” the IGG said, “whether it's GM-free fed cows for dairy products, beef, lamb, chicken or pork products”.
Our increased imports for animal feed were also highlighted by the IGG and are backed up with CSO figures which show in 1997 we paid just over €270m to import 1.6m tonnes of feed for 7.5m cattle. Last year, we spent over €680m to import 2.9m tonnes of feed for 7.3m cattle.
Overlooked
The IGG also insisted that the impact on tillage farmers has been overlooked and agricultural industry and government bodies now need to support Irish tillage farmers.
The organisation pointed out the Irish reliance on UK wheat for bread and stressed that more Irish grain needed to be grown for Irish bread.
It said that Ireland has the ability to provide full traceability on food products which would be valued and sought after in European countries.
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