Could genetically modified food secure Irish farmers’ future?
When the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was in place, Ireland concentrated on boosting crop yields by increased use of pesticides and fertilisers. Between 1985 and 2006, Irish cereal production increased by 4.6%, yet the area under cereals declined by 29%, from 380,000 hectares to 270,000. But these dramatic efficiencies came with a significant social and environmental cost. The number of agricultural workers in Ireland has declined to approximately 40% of what it was in 1973 and there has been an enormous deterioration in water and soil quality. There has been a noticeable reduction in biological diversity on farms. Equally dramatic changes are expected to occur in agriculture between now and 2030. The old target of producing cheap and abundant food has been replaced. Everyone agrees there is a need to farm in an efficient and sustainable manner. A key challenge for countries such as Ireland is to produce sufficient supplies of food, feed and fuel without compromising on public heal
