Mr. Eoin Deegan:

In terms of the legislative proposal that is coming in, we are likely to get a draft of that in the coming months, probably in quarter 2 of 2022, with a view to it being adopted in 2023. There was some suggestion it might happen in quarter 2 of 2023. At this point in time, we do not have a draft of what the EU is going to propose. It is very aware that there is an issue with the CRISPR-cas9 issue. We have discussed a lot of those here this evening. The roadmap sets out a potential change to the legislation at EU level.

To return to a point made earlier by the Deputy, we are bound by that legislation. It is legislation at EU level that allows for the importation of GM feed if it passes the authorisation standards and at the same time allows member states to take a stance that they do not wish to cultivate genetically modified crops on an opt-out basis. In terms of a timeframe for legislative change, the Commission has indicated it hopes something will be adopted in 2023.