Arthur Morgan
Ceist:91 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the implications which the opening up of the EU to genetically modified produce will have on agriculture here. [5302/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2004
91 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will make a statement on the implications which the opening up of the EU to genetically modified produce will have on agriculture here. [5302/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland responsibility for GM foods comes under the Minister for Health and Children while responsibility for the deliberate release of GM crops into the environment rests with the Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of Agriculture and Food is the competent authority relating to the cultivation of these crops.
As a result of consumer concerns within the EU about GM produce, there have been significant developments over the past two years in strengthening the controls governing the approval, cultivation and use of GM products. The legislation governing the assessment and approval procedures for GM crops, food and feed will ensure that the highest standards are in place to protect the citizens of the Community from a food safety and environmental aspect. New legislation on labelling and traceability for all GM food and feed, which will apply from 18 April next, will ensure that consumers can continue to have choice and full confidence in the food supply chain.
In addition to this legislation, which was jointly adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, the Community has also established the European Food Safety Authority which provides the citizens of the EU with an independent scientific body in which they can have the utmost confidence and trust with regard to the assessment, advice and communication of any risk associated with GM foods or any food safety matter.
To establish the appropriate measures necessary for Irish farming practices and farming conditions, I have established an interdepartmental and inter-agency working group with the task of identifying and evaluating the issues and implications for crop production in Ireland that would arise from the cultivation of GM crops, and developing proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming.
The combination of these measures is aimed at ensuring the GM crops cultivated have been subjected to the most rigorous scientific testing available within the EU before approval; obliging farmers who wish to cultivate GM crops to do so under strict conditions which will not affect the farming practices of their neighbours; and ensuring that the consumer will have choice of GM or non-GM products.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht an fhreagra sin. I am a little amazed at that answer. It is like closing the door when the horse has bolted. Does the Minister agree that the image this island enjoys internationally as a source of high quality food produce will be endangered if the EU member states continue to introduce genetically modified food products? Does he also agree that Irish officials voting in favour of the introduction of GM products, as they have done twice in recent months, is against the long-term interests of Irish farming and the food processing industry?
We ought to develop the full potential of Irish agriculture to produce high quality produce, and this includes the organic sector. We should stay away from GM products and this is possible for an island nation. That is where the strength and the future of Irish agriculture should be. There is proposed legislation to protect the consumer. Given that the EU has already voted, with the support of Irish officials, to introduce genetic modification, that legislation would seem to be too late.
In response to Deputy Morgan, a substantial amount of farm feed entering the Community consists of GM crops such as soya. There is a moratorium on the cultivation of GM crops within the European Union. In the past two years, a series of legislative measures have been introduced to address concerns of consumers and citizens of the EU. This is rigorous legislation which has been adopted not alone by the EU Council of Ministers but also by co-decision with the European Parliament. The measures, which are binding rather than optional across all member states, set out rules governing the release of genetically modified organisms into the environment. The GM food and feed regulation, No. 1829 of 2003, sets out the authorisation procedure for labelling and traceability of genetically modified foods and feed. A range of regulations and protocols protects consumers and ensures that they know where they stand.
Deputy Morgan also referred to the sweetcorn maize product, Bt-11. When the product was considered by a regulatory committee, Ireland voted in favour of it. There is a long way to go before a final decision is taken on the matter, which is due to come before EU Ministers at a meeting of the Health Council, the Environment Council or the Agriculture Council. That decision has not yet been taken and the Commission has not yet made a proposal in that regard.
Of course the regulation will be binding across every member state. My problem is that our officials are supporting and voting in favour of the introduction of such measures, rather than opposing them. Regardless of the many safety aspects of genetic modification, does the Minister agree that there is no economic argument in favour of introducing genetic modification, other than assisting large corporations to further monopolise the market? Irish farming and food production will be much better served if we ensure that genetic modification is not introduced on this island. Our officials should be told that any voting power we have at EU level should be directed in opposition to the introduction of genetic modification.
The approach to genetic modification taken in this country is generally conservative and cautious. The report of the interdepartmental group on modern biotechnology, which was produced in October 2000, established the Government's precautionary position on biotechnology. This position was based on the undoubted potential of biotechnology in the fields of medicine and health. A considerable proportion of the animal feed, particularly soya, imported into this country is genetically modified, but we are extremely careful. We have supported various measures and regulations that have been introduced in respect of labelling and the development of GMs, generally, within the European Union. Our attitude is that the marketing of GM products should be allowed within the community only in exceptional circumstances. Our attitude to cultivation is even more conservative. It has rightly been pointed out that we have a positive image as a food-producing country and we want to retain it. There is a role for biotechnology, however, especially in the field of medicine and we think it should be cautiously allowed to develop.
Deputy Hayes was not present when his Priority Question No. 90 was called. As the Deputy has now arrived in the House before the conclusion of Priority Question Time, I will allow him to ask his question.