The umbrella body representing organic farmers and other interest groups opposed to genetically modified foods has reacted angrily to today's decision in Brussels to approve the first GM seeds across the EU.
GM Free Ireland says each member state has the right to refuse the cultivation of GM seeds and crops, and is calling on Ireland to say no.
A spokesperson for the Department for Agriculture said it is unlikely that the 17 GM maize variations in question will be cultivated here because growing conditions here are unsuitable.
France and Spain have already authorised the sale of the seed varieties.
Under an established legal procedure, once an EU state gives the green light for a seed to be sold on its territory, and assuming all EU legislation is complied with, the commission is obliged to extend that authorisation to all other members states.
