Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
130 Mr. Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her policy is to accept or reject the wish of 70.9% of EU citizens, according to a European Commission opinion poll, who do not want genetically modified food. [29374/04]
View answerGovernment policy with regard to genetically modified organisms, GMOs, is set out in the report of the interdepartmental group on modern biotechnology, published in October 2000. In line with the recommendations of this report, my Department adopts a positive but precautionary approach to the issue of GM foods which reflects the priority given to consumer choice and safety.
Ireland, in common with other member states and as required by EU rules, applies EU legislation on GM foods. This legislation is in the form of EU regulations which are directly applicable to, and binding on, each member state. At present, Ireland has no additional national legislation on GM foods, however my Department is currently working on introducing provisions into national legislation which will allow for enforcement measures, including penalties, in the case of non-compliance with the recently adopted regulations.
The survey referred to by the Deputy was published in December 2001 and in the intervening period there have been significant developments. For example, during 2004 the European Union's new regulatory framework for GMOs entered into force with the consequent lifting of what was referred to as the moratorium on new GMOs. In response to consumer concerns, the EU has developed a robust safeguard system of legislation, covering the deliberate release of GMOs into the environment, regulations on GM food and feed, traceability and labelling of GMOs, trans-boundary movement of GMOs and guidance on the co-existence of GM and conventional crops.
These developments have paved the way for a high level of consumer, public health and environmental protection as they require the rigorous pre-marketing assessment of GM food and feed and include safeguard measures on labelling and traceability. The safety of GM products is independently assessed by European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, on a case by case basis and GM food is now required to be clearly labelled, thus ensuring greater consumer confidence and choice.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of legislation governing GM food and carries out regular checks of the marketplace to ensure compliance with GM food legislation. The FSAI, through its GMO and novel foods sub-committee, assesses dossiers from EFSA regarding application for authorisation within the EU of GM foods and consequently feeds into the decision making process at EFSA. I am satisfied that appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of authorised GM foods, or foods containing GM ingredients, placed on the market in Ireland.
