Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
110 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the details of the membership of the interdepartmental and interagency group established to examine issues concerning the possible introduction of genetically modified crops. [14710/04]
View answer111 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the stakeholders which the interdepartmental group established to examine issues concerning the possible introduction of genetically modified crops has met. [14711/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 110 and 111 together.
The membership of the interdepartmental/interagency working group established in my Department to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming is as follows: Department of Agriculture and Food, eight members; Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, two members; the Environmental Protection Agency, one member; and Teagasc, one member. I am happy that the membership of the working group includes persons with the required knowledge and expertise to evaluate all the issues relevant to co-existence.
The working group has had meetings with the following stakeholders: the Irish Seed Trade Association; Teagasc — tillage specialist division; An Bord Glas; the organic organisations of Ireland; and the Irish Grain and Feed Association. The working group proposes to meet other relevant stakeholders, including their counterparts in Northern Ireland, in the near future before the final proposals are recommended.
