Bairbre de Brún to attend major conference on the dangers GM foods

10 January, 2006

Sinn Féin Press Office
53 Falls Road
Belfast
Tel: 90 223002
Email: delaney@sinnfein.ie

For immediate release: 10.01.06

Bairbre de Brún to attend major conference on the dangers GM foods

Sinn Féin MEP Bairbre de Brún will be in Brussels tomorrow to participate
in a European wide conference on genetically modified foods and their
potential threat to public health and the food chain.

The conference entitled ‘GMOs and Transnational Food Corporations -A
threat to food sovereignty, public health and biodiversity’ will take
place at the European Parliament in Brussels between 9.30am and 12.30pm on
Wednesday 11th January.

Speaking today Ms de Brún said:

“Tomorrow’s public hearing presents an opportunity for academics,
researchers, writers and MEPs to discuss the potential threat of
genetically modified foods. A representative from the Irish Cattle and
Sheep Farmer’s Association, John Heney will also travel.

“The recent decision (August 2005) to allow the sale of genetically
modified maize for animal feed on the Irish market was a first step down a road that consumers do not want to travel. This landmark decision is a major worry for those
keen to protect the image of Ireland as having a ‘clean green image’.

“I look forward to contributing to tomorrow’s debate and expressing the
firm view that GM foods are unwanted in Ireland.” ENDS