Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 3

Written Answers. - Genetically Modified Organisms.

Martin Ferris

Ceist:

402 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will oppose the introduction of genetically modified maize when the proposal to allow its introduction comes before the EU Agriculture Ministers, having failed to secure a qualified majority at a meeting in Brussels on 8 December 2003. [30705/03]

At the meeting of the standing committee on the food chain and animal health on 8 December, member states were asked to give an opinion on the draft Commission decision authorising the placing on the market of sweet corn from a genetically modified maize line Bt 11, as a novel food or novel food ingredient, under Regulation (EC) 258/97 of the European Parliament and the Council. The Irish representative at the meeting indicated that Ireland supported the Commission proposal. This decision was against the background of the scientific risk assessment undertaken on this product, initially by the Netherlands' competent food assessment body and subsequently by the EU scientific committee on food, which concluded that Bt 11 sweet maize is as safe for human food use as conventional sweet maize.

Ireland's position also reflected the fact that safeguard measures on labelling and traceability are now in place, following the completion of the European legislative framework for GMOs earlier this year. In this regard, two regulations have been adopted which establish a clear EU system to trace and label GMOs and to regulate the placing on the market and labelling of food and feed products derived from GMOs. This new legislation ensures full traceability of GMOs throughout the chain from farm to table and provides consumers with comprehensive information by labelling all food and feed consisting of, containing or produced from a GMO. Sweet maize from genetically modified maize line Bt 11 and any food containing same as an ingredient will be required to comply with the provisions of these new regulations.

In the vote on 8 December a qualified majority was not achieved. The issue will now be referred to the Council for a decision during the Irish Presidency and also communicated to the European Parliament. Council will have three months to adopt or reject the proposed decision by qualified majority. If a qualified majority to accept or reject the proposal is not achieved, the matter will revert to the Commission to make the decision under its own authority.
Based on the information as set out above, it is not envisaged that the Irish position will change during Council.
Barr
Roinn