It is well proven that branding and image is vital in a crowded international marketplace. Our green image has served us well, but also puts pressure to show proof.

We are very lucky to have Bord Bia, although we may all complain about the audit; an audit that’s getting longer every time as new questions are added. The burden of proof is getting harder.

It was with a mixture of dismay and trepidation that I heard Bord Bia said to the Oireachtas Agriculture committee that they were studying customer attitudes to GM feed.

On one hand, I can see the question needing to be asked, as I know the GM feed issue has been bubbling away in the background for a while. On the other hand, I hope the right question is being asked.

Every buyer needs to realise that every restriction placed on a farmer costs extra.

Any conversation on genetic modification needs to be based on the fact that the vast majority of scientists say the technology is safe.

Every sales pitch needs to be based on the fact modern well-tested technology, such as GM, vaccines, fertilizers and mobile phones, have made farming safer and more efficient. Every buyer needs to realise that every restriction placed on a farmer costs extra.

I would love to see a situation where Ireland didn’t need to import any animal feedstuffs. For ruminants, the primary feed is obviously grass, which we grow well.

The trouble is that we currently don’t produce enough grain, and definitely don’t produce enough protein crops. Land types and economics mean the current best option is to import a proportion.

I would suggest looking at who is driving this anti-GM movement. It is virtually the same group that tried to get glyphosate banned in Europe to the detriment of Irish tillage farmers.

The type of scaremongering that’s claiming big business is controlling our food and deliberately trying to poison us with antibiotics and chemicals. Online, I see a strong connection with the vegan and animal rights activists' stories, along with some very expensive 'natural' brand names. Strangely enough, many of these are now pushing the fake milk and meat products created in test tubes using GM technology.

I believe it is time to examine exactly who is behind these co-ordinated campaigns against farmers, who are funding them and, more importantly, who stands to benefit financially.

The customer is always right, but is being fed lies and rumours. We farmers need to work together to make sure the customer can make an informed decision.

Meanwhile, I believe Bord Bia needs to stick with factual information backing up our modern green credentials.

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