Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has warned that Irish tillage farmers could be rendered uncompetitive overnight when vying for British trade, as the UK government indicates they will change their standards on genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

“What Britain intends to do is remove any restriction on GMO plants where the hybrid plant, even if it was created in a lab, could technically have been created through natural breeding methods,” he said.

“This differs from the opinion of the European Court of Justice, which does not recognise such a distinction in types of GMOs.

Chris MacManus MEP

“Any costs savings gained, through using this technology in production, will allow these companies to lower prices, to the determent of EU food producers like Ireland.

“I fear for Irish tillage farmers who may overnight become uncompetitive on Britain's supermarket shelves.

“Britain’s decision to do this does not impact the trade deal, because it will not be exporting these GMO produced foods to the EU market. Therefore, it will not face trade repercussions.”

He said the Irish Government must be ready to support farmers in the event of disruption to trade to the market on mainland Britain.

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