Trevor Sargent
Ceist:262 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the conclusion of the independent panel for the genetically modified organisms consultation process (details supplied). [24579/99]
Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.
I refer to the policy statement which I issued on 9 October 1999 on foot of the conclusion of the national consultation on Genetically Modified Organisms and the Environment. In that statement, I indicated that the Government, on my recommendation, had accepted the conclusions of the chairing panel who managed the debate stage of the consultation and would act on its recommendations. I also stated my view that national environmental policy on the deliberate release of GMOs must be balanced in terms of environmental protection and socio-economic considerations and, in this regard, confirmed the primary emphasis which I place on precaution well grounded in scientific risk assessment and management.