Willie Penrose
Question:126 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children the tests that are available for testing genetically modified foods; if these tests are carried out here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17781/00]
Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.
Ireland is collaborating with its partners at European level to develop reliable testing methods for GMO-derived foodstuffs. The Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission held a second meeting in Ispra on 13-14 June of this year to discuss detection methods for GMOs in foodstuffs. Ireland was represented by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency and the State Laboratory. It is generally accepted that the principal and most reliable method for detecting GMOs in foodstuffs is polymerase chain reaction with real time, PCR, providing the most reliable quantification data. The Joint Research Centre is currently conducting validation studies and ring trials throughout the European Union. It is envisaged that proficiency tests will also be conducted for the various laboratories throughout the EU. It is planned to designate the State Laboratory as the reference laboratory for the detection of GMOs in Ireland. At present the State Laboratory is reviewing the availability of equipment to conduct this analysis and I understand that machinery to conduct real time, PCR, should be purchased in the very near future. There are private laboratories with facili ties for testing foods which may have been genetically modified. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is conducting ad hoc surveys of foods in the retail market for the detection of genetically modified ingredients.