ttp://www.treehugger.com/Ireland%20gm-f\\... photo.jpg Ireland has taken the bold step of banning the cultivation of all GM crops. Photo by ellievanhoutte (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellievanho\\... via Flickr. (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08\\... Prince Charles (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08\\... has called it the "biggest environmental disaster of all time," while Monsanto (http://www.monsanto.com/) and others (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/06\\... maintain it's safe for humans and the environment. Genetically modified foods (http://www.naturallysavvy.com/pediatric\\... are a contentious issue, but Ireland is erring on the side of caution, placing a ban on growing any genetically modified crops. Ireland will ban growing of GM crops, and a voluntary GM-free label can be placed on all animal products--such as meat, poultry, eggs, fish, crustaceans, and dairy--that are raised with GM-free feed, according to a GM-Free Ireland press release (http://www.gmfreeireland.org/press/GMFI\\... Ireland joins Japan (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10\\... and Egypt (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08\\... as one of the few but growing number of countries that have banned the cultivation of GM crops. Smart Move for Irish Farmers The agreement (http://www.taoiseach.ie/eng/Publication\\... ), signed by the government's two coalition partners, declares Ireland a "GM-free Zone."