Clare Daly
Question:301. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will adopt a precautionary approach and ban GMO-GE crops, including GMO potato trials in Carlow. [29206/13]
View answerTuesday, 18 June 2013
Questions (301)
Written answers
The undertaking of field trials of genetically modified crops is subject to the requirements of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. An entity wishing to carry out a field trial of a genetically modified organism (GMO) must apply for approval to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as Irish competent authority for the purposes of these Regulations. As Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, I have no function in relation to the GMO licensing process in individual cases.
In July 2012, the EPA granted consent to Teagasc to carry out a field trial with genetically modified (GM) blight resistant potatoes in Carlow over a four year period from 2012 to 2016 inclusive. This field trial was granted subject to conditions and will be subject to ongoing inspections and reporting requirements.
Aside from this GM potato trial, there are currently no GM crops cultivated in Ireland either for field trial or for commercial purposes. The cultivation of GM crops on a commercial basis within the European Union is subject to a community authorisation procedure under the procedures set out under Directive 2001/18/EC on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Organisms and EU Regulation 1829/2003 on GM food and feed. The competent authorities in each Member State all participate in the decision making process. However, when a product is approved, no geographical restrictions apply within the EU and no additional domestic approval is required. The only two crops currently authorised for such cultivation within the EU have characteristics that are not relevant to Irish agriculture and industry.
A proposal by the European Commission to amend the Deliberate Release Directive, which would allow Member States more choice in deciding whether or not to cultivate GMOs in their respective territories has not progressed since the March 2012 Environment Council, due to a blocking minority opposing the measure.