Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

Did either the Minister or one of his ministerial colleagues recently write to Teagasc complaining about research published in the agency's research magazine on the issue of a GM-free island, which is Government policy, and the impact this would have on the pig sector? The research quantified that Government policy is costing the sector in the region of €13 million per year. If such correspondence exists, will the Minister publish it? If that is the case, what can we expect? The Government tours the world promoting a knowledge and science-based foundation for economic regeneration. Can we expect the Minister for Education and Science to write to UCC to ask it to cease research in its biotechnology centre? Can we expect the Minister for Health and Children to write to the HSE to advocate that we no longer use drugs that have been developed with the aid of biotechnology research? What will the endgame be with this nonsense in the programme for Government on a GM-free island? It has reached ludicrous proportions and it will damage our reputation internationally as a knowledge-based economy. Will the Minister publish the documentation sent to Teagasc?

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