Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 7

Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.

David Stanton

Question:

66 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the measures, if any, he has put in place, or intends to put in place, to enable the consumer to choose between foodstuffs and other products that depend on the presence of genetically modified organisms in the raw materials from which the end products are produced and foodstuffs from other products that are guaranteed to be free from genetically modified organisms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21647/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I am aware of the concerns of consumers in relation to genetically engineered food. The primary purpose of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, enacted in July, is the protection of consumers and this is reflected in the structure of the authority. In addition to the authority's governing board, provision has been made for a 24 member consultative council which will provide a forum for consumer representatives to voice their concerns. The authority's scientific committee has also established a GMO and novel food subcommittee which serves to advise me on issues in this area together with affording a forum for the exchange of expert scientific opinion and advice on this new technology.

There are strict legislative controls on the genetic modification of foodstuffs and my Department is responsible for the implementation of the relevant European Union measures in this area.

These controls provide protection to consumers and the matter will be kept under continuing review to ensure that this continues to be the case. The labelling requirements for novel foods contained in Regulations (EC) No. 258/97 and 1139/98 are in addition to the general national and EU food labelling provisions which are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

In relation to the latest EU measures on labelling, my Department is in consultation with both the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and representatives of industry to ensure that consumers are informed to the greatest degree possible in relation to genetic modification of foodstuffs. This issue is also the subject of ongoing discussions at EU level and I can assure the Deputy that in these discussions Ireland will continue to press other member states to address the consumer concerns which exist in this area.