Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

I trust that this debate and the continued representations being made by farmers will persuade the Minister to change her mind and try to convince the Commission to reverse its current position, in the interests of domestic and EU producers. While I hope that will happen, I doubt that it will. The motion before the House refers to the importation of animal feed, presumably with regard to the use of genetic modification in its production. Although pig producers claim that restrictions on genetically modified animal feedstuffs are among the factors responsible for increasing costs, Sinn Féin remains opposed to genetic modification and does not believe that its use in animal feedstuffs or in the growing of crops is in the best interests of producers or consumers. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, agrees with me in that regard.

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