Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I have three questions before I pass over to my colleagues. In regard to Herculex, do I detect from the Minister that the Government was in favour of this policy? If that is the case why did we abstain and take the slíbhín approach where we are glad the Commission is bringing it in through the back door. Is it not a fact that Government policy on GM, as enunciated by the then Minister in response to a question from Deputy Trevor Sargent this time last year, is that we support the genetic modification, subject to maintaining a commitment to food safety, on the basis of scientific risk assessment and management? On that basis, is the Government in favour of the European Union catching up with the US on synchronisation?

Getting back to home base, pig producers from west Cork and those involved in poultry and eggs said that they cannot get extra money from the multiples. The Minister must be aware of the cruel power of the multiples. Farmers are faced with higher costs as a consequence of the extra payments and are being squeezed out of business.

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