Controversial anti-glyphosate scientist to speak in west Cork

Gilles-Eric Seralini, a French molecular biology university professor, is among the speakers at next week’s Taste of West Cork Food Festival, alongside Teagasc experts and local cookery guru Darina Allen.

Seralini may not be a household name in Ireland, but he contributed to making France an anti-Monsanto bastion with his 2012 study concluding that rats ingesting the firm’s genetically modified NK603 maize and/or water tainted with glyphosate-based Roundup herbicide “died two to three times more” and had more tumours than others.

Amid scientific outcry, the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology retracted the article after reviewing the number of rats used in the study, having found that “no definitive conclusions can be reached with this small sample size regarding the role of either NK603 or glyphosate in regards to overall mortality or tumour incidence”.

Defiant Seralini only republished the article in another journal, arguing that its retraction was the result of “censorship” and “conflicts of interest” on the part of reviewers.

The Skibbereen event promises to feature lively debates.

Kerry board members engage with Alliance

I’d love to have been a fly on the wall at the Kerry Shareholders’ Alliance meeting last week. No less than nine co-op board members landed in – that’s one-third of the board.

The two starkly different views of the future of Kerry were robustly exchanged. The board believes the shareholders’ alliance to be a small, unrepresentative but very vocal group, intent on cashing in on its investment in the co-op. This, the board believes, is undermining the co-op at the very moment when it is finally standing up to the plc on behalf of suppliers – next week sees the start of the oral hearings of the “13th payment” arbitration process regarding the leading milk price.

The newly retitled Kerry Co-op Shareholders’ and Suppliers’ Alliance, for its part, is saying that the board is on a dangerous path and does not have the backing of shareholders to acquire processing or agri-trading assets.

The current postal consultation is dismissed as entirely inadequate.

Ploughing 2019 to head to Carlow?

Rumour has it that the National Ploughing Championships are heading to Co Carlow next year. Naturally, this won’t be confirmed until after this year’s event in Screggan, Co Offaly, which is on from 18 to 20 September.

The last time the ploughing was in Carlow was 2006, but The Dealer understands that while the site under speculation is near that of 2006 it is not the same one. The 2006 event hosted the World Ploughing Championships.

Farmers set sights on Dublin property

I see there are two farmers looking to get into the Áras to be Ireland’s next president. Roscommon farmer John Groarke and Sean Gallagher from Cavan are both looking for nominations.

Groarke farms 50ac in Tulsk and addressed Meath County Council last Monday to seek councillors’ endorsement.

On Wednesday, Gallagher tweeted, confirming he is seeking a nomination. He holds a Green Cert and comes from a farm.

Devenish displays Dowth dig

I joined the constant stream of public guided tours of the archaeological dig on animal nutrition firm Devenish’s research farm at Dowth Hall, Co Meath, during Heritage Week.

Workers preparing the renovation of the dilapidated 18th century house uncovered 5,500-year-old structures last year, and archaeologists have since identified a significant passage tomb related to nearby Newgrange under the site.

Devenish chair Owen Brennan, who plans to use part of the building as a family home, was there to welcome visitors, alongside former UFU president and Devenish director of agriculture John Gilliland, who has taken a hands-on role in the project.

Suckler cattle paddocked by breed looked on, reminding visitors where all the money is coming from. A great day was had by all.

FBD shares awarded to executives

More than €660,000 worth of shares have been award to the top executives at FBD.

FBD’s chief executive Fiona Muldoon received a conditional award of a maximum of 33,256 shares under the company’s performance share plan.

The stock, worth €365,000 at last week’s closing price, cannot be exercised before August 2021.

FBD’s chief financial officer, John O’Grady, received a conditional award of a maximum of 17,737 shares.

Derek Hall, FBD’s chief risk officer and company secretary, received a maximum of 11,316 shares.