Noel Davern
Question:241 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the research, if any, carried out by his Department on the dangers of introducing genetically modified organisms into the agricultural sector. [5859/97]
Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.
Noel Davern
Question:242 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the safeguards, if any, he has put in place in view of the potential unknown dangers of the introduction of genetically modified organisms into the Irish agricultural sector. [5861/97]
My Department has not carried out any research into the introduction of genetically modified organisms. Teagasc, which was established under the Agriculture (Research, Training and Advice) Act, 1988 is the national body with responsibility for agriculture research and some limited research in this area is part of the Teagasc research programme.
The deliberate release of genetically modified organisms is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the provisions of the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992 and Part III of the Genetically Modified Organisms Regulations, 1994.