Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Genetically Modified Organisms.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2004

Wednesday, 13 October 2004

Ceisteanna (55)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Ceist:

55 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if consumer and environmental NGOs will be represented on groups answering to her Department or within her Department which are deciding on genetically modified policy. [24550/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following the Commission's decision that the drawing up of measures for the co-existence of GM crops alongside non-GM crops should be addressed at member state level and having provided a series of guidelines to assist in this task, Ireland, along with the other member states, is now involved in the process of drawing up strategies and best practices to provide for effective co-existence arrangements. Consequently, an interdepartmental/ interagency working group was established within my Department to develop such strategies to ensure that efficient and effective measures are in place if farmers wish to cultivate GM crops here. The working group is made up of representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the EPA and Teagasc.

Part of the work programme of the working group has been to communicate with all relevant stakeholders making them aware of the existence of the working group and its remit, presenting them with a copy of the Commission guidelines on co-existence and seeking their observations by way of written submission or a meeting. Farming organisations, environmental NGOs such as GM Free Ireland, the Irish Seed Savers Association and so forth, as well as the consumer umbrella group were among the stakeholders contacted. To date meetings have been held at which some of the farming organisations and a number of the NGOs were present. The views expressed by these stakeholders will be considered when drawing up the final strategies.

Barr
Roinn