Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.
Willie Penrose
Question:
31
Mr. Penrose
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the percentage of food for sale in Ireland which is genetically modified; the tests available to monitor GM foods; the tests which are carried out; and the frequency of these tests.
[13861/00]
My Department is responsible for Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 1997 concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients, the novel foods regulation, which came into force in all member states on May 15 1997. Under this regulation, novel foods and food ingredients are those foods and food ingredients which have not – as of May 15 1997 – been used for human consumption to a significant degree within the European Community and which fall into certain categories.
There are currently two genetically modified products authorised for sale in Ireland and the EU – a genetically modified maize and a genetically modified soyabean. These two products were authorised under Directive 90/220/EEC, on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment, before the novel foods regulation came into effect. Because these two products are primarily used as ingredients in processed foodstuffs, it is not possible to determine the percentage of food in Ireland to which genetically modified ingredients have been added.
The European Commission has been mandated by the European Parliament to encourage the development of validated methods for the detection of protein or DNA resulting from genetic modification.
The Commission's Joint Research Institute hosted a meeting on methods for the detection of GMO-derived foodstuffs in Ispra in Italy last November. Ireland was represented at this meeting by the State Laboratory. One of the conclusions from this meeting was the urgent need for horizontal networking between national enforcement laboratories with a view to discussing and comparing research and analytical data. The JRC is currently establishing such a network to discuss such issues as the development of co-ordinated testing methods or approaches and increasing the synergy between the European laboratories; the organisation of collaborative ring trials for testing of materials containing GMOs; the development of co-ordinated sampling strategies; investigation of best practices; compendium of common views on the interpretation of regulatory requirements; and co-participation in larger research networks.
A second meeting will take place in the Joint Research Centre in Ispra in June. Ireland will be represented by the State Laboratory, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the Environmental Protection Agency.
It is intended to designate the Food Safety Authority of Ireland as the competent authority for the novel foods regulation. The FSAI will monitor genetically modified food and food ingredients for compliance with relevant legislation on an ongoing basis as part of its regular food surveillance programme.
It is planned to designate the State Laboratory as the reference laboratory for the detection of GMOs in Ireland. The State Laboratory uses the most up-to-date technique, competitive polymerase chain reaction. This technology is now considered the most applicable and the one which is normally used. It provides a "presence" or "absence" answer. Despite the increasing demands for quantitative methods for the detection of GMOs, qualitative methods will also be needed for the detection of new GMOs. They will continue to be the basis for the development of quantitative methods and for screening before quantification.
