Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1379. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine if he will indicate his position on genetically modified organisms; if it is permitted to genetically modify crops here; his views on the recent ban imposed by Poland on a matter (details supplied); if he will consider a similar ban if required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraEU Legislation sets down risk assessment and approval procedures for release and cultivation of GM crops and also GM ingredients used in both food and feed. Only those GMO’s deemed safe by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for use as food and feed and also safe to the environment are authorised for use in the European Union.
Within Ireland the issue of genetic modification is dealt with by three Government Departments, as follows:
- GM foods come under the Minister for Health and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland;
- GM feeds and the Coexistence of authorised GM crops alongside non-GM crops rests with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; while,
- Approval to trial GM crops or authorise new GM crops for deliberate release into the environment rests with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Environment, Community and Local Government;
Accordingly, my Department’s sole responsibility with regard to the cultivation of GM crops is in relation to coexistence measures in the event that commercial GM crops are grown alongside conventional crops.
Given that GM crops are not cultivated commercially in Ireland and are unlikely to be for the foreseeable future, the issue of cultivation and coexistence does not arise at present. In relation to the authorisation and use of products consisting of or containing authorised GM ingredients in animal feed, my Department adopts, on the basis of scientific evaluation, a positive but precautionary approach to EU applications for the authorisation of GM ingredients in food and feed and supports applications which have been deemed to be safe by EFSA.
In regard to the recent application to the EPA by Teagasc to carry out field trials on a genetically modified potato, with improved resistance to late potato blight, it must be pointed out that these trials do not constitute cultivation of a commercial crop and that under the EPA consent attached to this approval, they will be subject to strict conditions with regular monitoring and reporting to the EPA for compliance. I understand that Polish proposals on the GMO MON810 refer to planting of the crop only and have yet to be ratified.
