Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 5

Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

237 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the way he plans to ensure non contamination of non-GM crops, environmental liability and that food products can be guaranteed free of GMOs. [25284/01]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh)

The regulation and control of genetically modified (GM) material is shared by three Departments. The Department of the Environment and Local Government is responsible for the deliberate release of GM material generally. The Department of Health and Children is responsible for GM material in food and my Department is responsible for GM material in seed and animal feedingstuffs.

EU policy on the presence of GM material in seed and feedingstuffs is still being developed and it is expected that legislation in relation to these materials will be introduced over the next number of months. In the meantime the growing of GM crops is not permitted in Ireland and imports of seed are tested to ensure against the inadvertent, or otherwise, importation and dissemination of GM affected seed in this country. These controls which are designed to ensure that non-GM crops will not be contaminated by GM material, will be continued until the relevant EU legislation is in place.