Comncentration and GM foods

[Joe Shea <joeshea@netcom.com>]

	This rang my alarm bells -- seems a single supermarket chain
controls 25 percent of Ireland's food market, and in this particular case,
is vetting genetically-modified foods (GM) so long as they are labelled
clearly. I suspect that for some of Ireland's population, the one market
is their sole choice of food providers. Thus, as a fait accompli, the
market's decision concerning GM foods by fiat becomes the shopper's
decision. 

	I take no position here on GM foods.

Best,

Joe

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---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 16 May 1999 07:13:36 EDT
From:NinaLynn@aol.com
To: coop1@crockettnet.com, gentech@gen.free.de
Subject: Re: GM foods on sale not a health risk!!

Bill,

You confirm my most serious concerns. Is this your idea of an independent, 
peer-reviewed, scientific citation? I haven't seen one word about the basis 
for the decision of the Irish authorities. What I have seen from these 
various governments is "policy statements" announcing that "they are 
satisfied". I do know that in the US, regulatory personnel are consistently 
recruited directly from the biotechnology industry and then return there 
after they have done their time in the government.

- Nina

In a message dated 5/12/1999 1:47:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
coop1@crockettnet.com writes:

<< Nina,
 Score another one for safety.
 Bill B.
 
 -----Original Message-----
 From: Shane Morris * <shane.morris@ul.ie>
 To: Catherine.Adley <catherine.adley@ul.ie>
 Date: Wednesday, May 12, 1999 8:33 AM
 Subject: GM foods on sale not a health risk!!
 
 
 >FYI
 >
 >Irish Times (Frontpage) 12/5/99
 >
 >GM foods on sale not a 
 >health risk, says report 
 >
 >By Kevin O'Sullivan, Environmental and Food Science Correspondent 
 >No genetically-modified food on sale in Ireland or the EU poses a health
 >risk, according to a report to be issued by the Food Safety Authority of
 >Ireland today, The Irish Times has learned. 
 >The most comprehensive independent report yet published in the State on
 >the genetically-modified (GM) food controversy stresses, however, that
 >this should not be interpreted as blanket approval of all GM foods. Nor
 >does the authority advocate consumption of GM foods over unmodified
 >varieties. 
 >It is understood the report backs a case-by-case assessment of any GM
 >food seeking market approval. It also underlines the importance of
 >clear, neutral information on the issue, to address widespread consumer
 >confusion and concern. 
 >It is understood the FSAI status paper, "Food Safety and GM Foods",
 >stresses that the authority is satisfied on scientific grounds that
 >there is no need to cease the current use of gene technology to develop
 >GM foods on food safety grounds. 
 >The FSAI is not becoming a defender of GM foods or of the multinational
 >companies associated with their development. The report is based on the
 >evaluations of its own scientists: a separate scientific committee and a
 >special sub-committee which assess new GM foods coming onto the market. 
 >The findings are a blow to campaign groups against GM foods. Human
 >health risk has been repeatedly cited by campaigners as grounds for a
 >moratorium on GM foods. 
 >While the report contains a comprehensive evaluation of possible food
 >safety risks, the FSAI has stressed its remit "is purely in the area of
 >food safety and it cannot consider environmental, ethical or trade
 >issues". 
 >Musgrave, which controls 25 per cent of the Irish food market through
 >its 470 franchised Supervalu and Centra stores, has defended its policy
 >of not banning genetically-modified food products. Instead, Musgrave
 >requires clear labelling of the GM content in all Supervalu and Centra
 >brands. 
 >Supervalu chief executive Mr Eoin McGettigan said: "We are not
 >scientists and we need to be guided. We want to give the consumer the
 >clear choice through clear labelling. It's a very emotive issue and we
 >have to stand back and take a reasoned decision." 
 > >>

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