Ford welcomes assurances on GM foods

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th Jun 2000

David Ford, Alliance Spokesman on Agriculture and Rural Affairs has welcomed the assurances from the Minister, Brid Rogers, that there are currently no plans to allow trials of genetically modified crops in Northern Ireland, and that no GM contaminated seeds have been planted here.

The assurances from the Department came in answer to formal questions raised by David Ford in the Assembly.

David Ford said

" I asked these questions in order to get a formal statement on the current position regarding GM foods in Northern Ireland. I find the answers from the Minister very reassuring."

"It is essential for Northern Ireland agriculture that we maintain a clean and green image. I believe that the assurances from the Minister that there are no plans for GM food trials in Northern Ireland, and no GM contaminated seed is growing, will be welcomed both by farmers and by consumers."

ENDS.