Brian Cowen
Question:37 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that consumers are satisfactorily informed and protected in relation to genetically engineered foods. [3119/97]
Written Answers. - Genetically Engineered Foods.
Seamus Brennan
Question:41 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that consumers are satisfactorily informed and protected in relation to genetically engineered foods. [3123/97]
Kathleen Lynch
Question:66 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the proposals, if any, he has to address growing consumer awareness regarding the safety of food which has been biotechnologically altered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3171/97]
Liam Aylward
Question:71 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that consumers are satisfactorily informed and protected in relation to genetically engineered foods. [3121/97]
Matt Brennan
Question:74 Mr. M. Brennan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry if he has satisfied himself that consumers are satisfactorily informed and protected in relation to genetically engineered foods. [3122/97]
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:141 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry whether he intends to introduce any regulations in relation to genetically engineered foods with a view to either banning such foods or introducing mandatory labelling on all foods which contain any genetically modified ingredient, or foods where genetically modified organisms have been used in the production of the food; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1380/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 41, 66, 71, 74 and 141 together.
Foods and food ingredients which have been subject to genetic engineering fall within the scope of the recently adopted regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients.
This regulation provides for an assessment and an approval system for novel foods and food ingredients.
It also provides very specific labelling requirements to ensure that the final consumer is informed of the presence of genetically modified organisms. Novel foods and novel food ingredients produced from but not containing genetically modified organisms will also have to be labelled if they are no longer equivalent to an existing food or food ingredient.
My colleague the Minister for Health will shortly assume responsibility for the implementation in Ireland of this regulation.