Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 October 2004
109 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the growing opposition among farmers’ organisations to the possible introduction of genetically modified crops. [23923/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe rules governing GMOs are set down in EU legislation which has been jointly adopted by the European Parliament and Council under the co-decision procedure. This legislation ensures that the EU has the most stringent assessment and control measures in place for the cultivation and use of GM crops and GM food within the Community. These measures which include strong labelling and tractability requirements will ensure that the highest standards of food safety and environmental protection apply equally across the Community. On the issue of growing genetically modified crops and their co-existence alongside non GM crops, the Commission in conjunction with the European Parliament and Council decided that controls in this area should be addressed at member state level under a series of guidelines. As a result, all member states, including Ireland, are currently in the process of drawing up strategies and best practices to enable the effective co-existence of GM crops with non-GM crops. An interdepartmental/ interagency working group has been established within my Department to develop proposals for such strategies.
The working group, as part of its work programme, invited observations from all of the relevant stakeholders, including the farming organisations, and to date responses have been received from two of the farming groups. The viewpoints expressed by those groups will be considered when drawing up the final proposals.
