Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the witnesses for coming in. I agree with all of the discussion that is going on so far but we have to be careful as well because these products will wind up in the human food chain. In particular I am concerned about safety checks, traceability and labelling. On the NGT products, if a country develops them, who will own the product itself since this is new? The Irish position on this is fairly clear but we have to get it right because we are developing something new with NGTs. How long will the product itself be tested for?

We all know about the ecosystem as well. There is a balance between the ecosystem that is there because there are the bees and the birds. If they eat this product what could happen to them?

The witnesses spoke about nutrients. Will we be able to prove that these new products are good for the consumer? How will we know it is a perfectly bona fide product?