Martin Ferris
Ceist:113 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will support an all-Ireland ban on the growth and importation of genetically modified crops. [25751/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions (Resumed). Priority Questions. - Genetically Modified Organisms.
The production and use of GM crops and crop products in the European Union is governed by EU regulations which have been adopted by the European Parliament and Council. Under those regulations, all GM crops and crop products are subject to rigorous scientific testing before being approved for use in the European Union. Once approved, they must be labelled as containing GMOs and fully traceable through the supply chain. The regulations also address the issue of co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic crops. It is not possible, therefore, to ban the importation and growing of such crops.
The controls to be applied to the growing of GM crops will be drawn up and implemented at member state level under guidelines issued by the European Commission. This so-called subsidiarity approach will allow member states to put in place stringent controls to minimise cross-contamination between GM crops and conventional or organic crops. In this regard, the Department of Agriculture and Food has established an expert group involving the relevant Departments and State agencies to examine all aspects relating to the growing of GM crops. The Deputy should also be aware that responsibility for legislation relating to the assessment of the safety of GMOs and their approval for release into the environment rests with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
In reply to a question I asked him last month the Minister for Agriculture and Food stated each member state would have the right, under the subsidiarity principle, to introduce its own strategy. Does the Minister of State agree that this approach will be a nonsense if GM crops are allowed to be grown in one part of Ireland but not in another? Does he agree that the authorities on both sides of the Border need to adopt a common approach? Given the availability of evidence, does he agree that the correct approach is to ban GM crops in both jurisdictions?
I would also like the Minister of State to comment on the fact that the Department's attitude to GM crops has been described as "positive but precautionary". Given that the weight of evidence proves that GM crops are not of economic benefit to farmers or consumers, on what is this positive assessment based? It is clear that such crops are not necessary to feed the hungry people of the world, as food is over-produced globally but does not reach those most in need. Does the Minister of State agree that the real motive behind genetic modification is to tighten the main agri-food corporations' control of the world food system? This is being done by patenting seeds and creating terminator seeds.
I do not agree with the Deputy's suggestion that the principle of subsidiarity should be flouted by any member state. We have to take account of topography, climatic conditions and the differences between member states. Under the Treaty of Rome, the EU principle of subsidiarity has always given member states the right to implement the necessary guidelines and regulations at local level. Ireland adopts such a position on all issues of this nature.
When the Deputy referred to a "positive but precautionary" attitude to GM crops, he was quoting from a report produced by the interdepartmental committee on biotechnology, which I established in October 2000 when I was Minister of State with responsibility for science and technology. The committee concluded that we should adopt a positive approach in the interests of science and mankind and with the aim of ensuring society could benefit from research and innovation, while being very precautionary as regards evolution and conclusions. That is the line we have taken at EU level as a result of the report.
The Deputy can be certain that the Government and the Department are prepared at all times to consider innovative methods that make a huge contribution to illness, research and the treatment of different problems throughout the world. We cannot place a boundary on research, regardless of where we are. We have to consider it in a positive light, while managing and using it carefully. In this case we are guided by our experts who work on the various EU committees. We await their conclusions and the further directives that will be published in the Official Journal of the EU shortly. We will make the necessary decisions about statutory instruments or new legislation when conclusions have been arrived at.
Will the Minister of State take on board the tremendous credibility of Irish agricultural produce on the world stage and the damage that will be done if GM produce is allowed to be grown in this jurisdiction? Will he take on board the fact that the motivation of those who control GM production relates primarily to the control of the world food chain?
The motivation of those to whom the Deputy refers is twofold. I am not sure that he is correct. Scientists do tremendous research based on their intellectual capacity and scientific qualifications. They are motivated by research, innovation and arriving at conclusions. The corporate world may have other priorities but I cannot judge what they are. I am sure that scientists are very committed to making progress and ensuring they serve and make their mark in the job they do. The Deputy can be absolutely certain that the Government is proud of the Irish food industry and is careful to protect it.
The Deputy spoke originally about the circumstances on the island of Ireland. The Minister, Deputy Walsh, and his team have played a major and successful role on the North-South agriculture body. We regret very much that the Northern Ireland Assembly is not in place and we cannot continue that progress. We will ensure, as far as we can, that there is absolute consensus on making progress on this issue. We will take into account the progress and decisions being made in Europe, the opportunities, or otherwise, that genetic modification may present and its possible effects on the food industry on the island of Ireland.