Vol. 508 No. 3
58 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the report of the consultation procedure on genetically modified organisms has been presented to him; if so, when he will publish it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18756/99]
The report of the chairing panel which I set up for the national consultation debate on genetically modified organisms and the environment, held on 25 May and 3 June 1999, was submitted to me on 28 July 1999. I have brought the report to the attention of the Government and will publish it shortly, with an accompanying statement on the outcome of the consultation. This statement will define national policy in this area in light of the consultation process.
I am glad to hear that. Does this mean that we will have a policy on this issue? A number of relief applications will be tabled at the Council of Ministers over the next six months. Will the Minister be able to vote on them? If they are agreed, does that mean that within the next six months commercial crops could be planted in Ireland?
Whether we have a specific policy, once authorisations are approved in Europe, planting can take place. We will have a clearly stated policy in regard to authorisations gener ally, which will be in line with the EU directives that are in place. However, that policy results from the consultation process and I hope to publish that report in the near future.
When the Minister was in Opposition he supported a moratorium on the planting of these crops. Is that reflected in his new policy?
The Deputy might wait until we produce the policy document. However, I wish to clarify the position in regard to the moratorium, which I have done previously. Prior to the last general election, we had a policy document which called for a moratorium on the deliberate release of GMOs. I have said previously that when I became Minister it was one of the first things that I tried to pursue, but I was advised strongly within the Department and by the Attorney General that it was not, and is not, possible to impose such a moratorium because of EU law.
For that reason, I set up the national consultation debate on GMOs and the environment. That process is complete and will provide the basis for our policy document. The Deputy will be aware that an independent panel, comprising four people, listened to both sides of the debate and it has made recommendations, which, by and large, we have accepted.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food said recently that more consultation was needed and he called for public debate on this issue. Is there a definitive Government policy on the issue or will there be more consultation and public debate with a view to furthering policy?
I am specifically responsible for the GMOs and the environment. The question of GMOs spans four or five different Departments. The Department of Agriculture and Food is, obviously, involved in terms of crops and so on. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also has a role in terms of patents, copyright and EU directives. The Department of the Environment and Local Government is involved, and obviously, the Department of Health and Children also has a role in regard to novel foods. This policy document will relate to GMOs and the environment.
Will there be other documents on GMOs and food and agriculture?
No, I am trying to give the background to our policy document. As the Deputy will be aware, two or three months ago the Government also agreed to set up an interdepartmental committee on biotechnology and genetic engineering. This policy will feed into that process and that committee will be responsible for consultation and any further policy statements in regard to the general aspects of GMOs. The issue involves a wider area than just the environment and my specific brief.
There is no Government policy yet.
