Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

If we get a chance. I want to emphasise that we will continue to adopt our precautionary approach in this area. Decisions have not yet been made on co-existence. GM co-existence is the one area where subsidiarity is permitted within the GMO regulatory framework. Co-existence refers to the ability of farmers to make a practical choice between conventional, organic and GM crop production. EU legislation provides that all three types of agriculture are permitted within the EU.

Deputy Sargent referred to GM-free zones. Under EU legislation it is not possible unilaterally to declare a GM-free area. The only two possibilities are where there is a voluntary agreement among all growers in a region not to grow a GM crop or crops, or where the safeguard clause is enacted. That clause concerns a member state which has detailed grounds, on the basis of scientific evidence, that a GMO constitutes a risk to human health or the environment. In that case, the member state may provisionally restrict or prohibit the growing of that GM crop on its territory or in a region within its territory. The Commission must then be immediately informed and will decide within 60 days if the ban is scientifically based and will give its decision.

Following questions from Deputy Sargent on a previous occasion, I stated that our Department has been involved in a widespread consultative process. That consultation process has now been completed. Individuals and organisations were invited to put forward views, all of which will be considered, analysed and dealt with before co-existing measures are finalised.

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