Historic Decision on Genetic Engineering in Europe
Monsanto Barred From Planting GE Sugar Beet in Carlow, Ireland
Press Release / Genetic Concern! 23may97

Decision To Have Major Implications for the U.S.

In a precedent-setting case that signals major problems for the biotechnology industry, Justice Michael Morriarty in the High Court of Ireland last week granted an interim injunction to Ms. Clare Watson, a founder member of Genetic Concern!, a coalition of Irish farmers, women's groups, seed savers, environmentalists and others. The injunction prevents Monsanto Corporation, one of the world's major players in agricultural biotechnology, from planting genetically engineered sugar beet in Carlow, Ireland. The injunction was granted pending a judicial review of the Irish EPA's decision to grant Monsanto a licence for Ireland's first ever field test of genetically engineered plants.

This Monday, May 26, in the High Court in Dublin, the case for an interlocutary injunction is to be decided. Critics and supporters of genetic engineering from all over the world will be looking at this decision. If the injunction is granted, it will be the first time the introduction of genetically engineered crops has been prevented before it ever began. The Irish members of Genetic Concern! may have inspired a whole new era of public resistance to biotechnology. A victory for the coalition could mean a worldwide slow-down for the technology.

The sugar beet in question has been altered with genes from a bacteria, a virus and a flower rendering it immune to Monsanto's own herbicide, Roundup.

The Irish EPA's decision to allow an experimental planting had received much criticism both from the public, and from political parties, including Fianna Fail, Progressive Democrats, and the Green Party.

According to the EPA's own report on the application, the lack of public debate was the most common complaint raised by public objectors. Other complaints included fears of increased use of herbicide, gene pollution, gene transfer to weeds, as well as ethical, moral and social implications.

"Most Irish people have no idea what genetic engineering is, much less know that the government are allowing multinational companies to perform experiments here" said Quentin Gargan, spokesperson for Genetic Concern!

Contacts: in Ireland: Quentin Gargan, 011-353-1-626-2315 in the U.S.: Beth Burrows, 425-775-5383

We note with interest  the following changes in job assignment:  

* Marcia Hale . . . in early May, 1997, from assistant to the President of the United States for intergovernmental affairs to senior official with Monsanto Co. to coordinate public affairs and corporate strategy in the United Kingdom and Ireland.  

* L. Val Giddings . . . in mid-May, 1997, from biotechnology regulator at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA/APHIS) to vice president of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO). Mr. Giddings was at the first meeting of the Open-Ended Ad Hoc Working Group on a Biosafety Protocol as a member of the United States delegation; he attends the second meeting as the representative of BIO.