A group of campaigners in the Irish Republic has been refused a legal challenge over the first trial of a genetically modified potato crop. In July, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the go ahead for a gm blight-resistant potato crop to be tested in County Carlow.
The group sought approval from the High Court to take a case on the basis of the Arhaus Convention. Article nine of the convention requires that people have the ability to challenge critical environmental decisions.
"Mr Justice Gerard Hogan said he had no jurisdiction to make such an order because the Arhaus Convention has yet to be put into Irish law"said Green Party Environment spokesperson, Cllr Malcolm Noonan.