Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 6

Written Answers. - Genetic Engineering.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

90 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give an undertaking that all work on the genetic engineering of animals and all work on genetically modified organisms, including plant trials, will be suspended until all the legal, scientific and ethical issues have been explored fully in public debate. [11781/97]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

97 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment the procedures by which the Environmental Protection Agency is informed of any genetically modified organisms being brought into the State, and in particular the time specified for informing the agency. [11782/97]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 97 together.

Both the contained use of genetically modified organisms and the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms, for purposes other than for placing on the market, are subject to control by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Genetically Modified Organisms Regulations, 1994. Detailed notification requirements to the Environmental Protection Agency, which vary according to the type of application involved, are set out in these regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency is the national competent authority under the above regulations for the purposes of the procedures laid down by Council Directive 20/220/EEC to regulate the placing on the market in EU member states of products containing or consisting of genetically modified organisms. These procedures could involve direct notification to the Environmental Protection Agency by a person concerned of a proposal to market such products, or notification to the Environmental Protection Agency by the European Commission of an application made within the jurisdiction of another member state. Member states are also informed of any decision within the EU to grant consent for the placing of a genetically modified product on the market; in Ireland such information is transmitted to the Department of the Environment and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The current EU Directive and the national regulations are based on the fundamental objectives of protecting human health and the environment. These requirements can properly be served by a case by case assessment of particular notifications. Ireland will support proposals now being developed by the European Commission to increase the effectiveness and transparency of the regulatory regime for genetically modified organisms.