Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine his policy regarding genetically modified crops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40089/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Responsibility for issues relating to the cultivation of genetically modified, GM, crops in Ireland rests with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, while responsibility for GM foods rests with the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. I have responsibility for issues relating to GM animal feed and, should it arise, the cultivation of authorised GM crops alongside conventional crops.

The use of authorised GM ingredients plays an important role in the supply of protein feed materials at affordable prices for the Irish livestock industry. In the mid to late 1990s Irish livestock farmers, in tandem with livestock farmers in many of the peripheral EU member states - particularly Spain, Portugal and the United Kingdom - began to consider using higher-protein by-products from the US milling and distilling industries as the most cost-effective way of providing animal feed nutrition. Consequently, imports of maize gluten and distillers' dried grains from the US increased sharply in the decade 1996 to 2006, reaching a figure of almost 900,000 tonnes by 2006. The pig and poultry industries were also using increased imports of soya for similar reasons. Soybean is the main feed material used to balance protein content and quality in animal feed rations.

To address the changing situation and deal with the legitimate concerns being expressed by many European citizens, the EU enacted a suite of new legislation with safety and scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA, being a central plank of the new procedures. On receipt of a positive opinion from EFSA of a proposal from a biotechnology company, the Commission would bring forward the authorisation proposal for consideration by the relevant regulatory committee. Each member state has an expert present at each committee. If a qualified majority vote is not achieved, either for or against the proposal, at the regulatory committee, the proposal is then referred to the Council of Ministers for consideration.

The Deputy will get a copy of my full reply so he will have it. In essence, the issue is that the Irish livestock industry, irrespective of whether one specialises in pigs, poultry, cattle or dairy, relies on protein, primarily from across the Atlantic, with GM content. Soybean meal is a good example. Up to 80% of US soybean meal has some GM content. Before it can be allowed to be used here, it must go through a very rigorous approval process. If it passes all the EU's food safety tests, I have no difficulty with it. If it does not pass them, we do not allow it into the country.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister. I am a little disappointed with his reply. My question was on genetically modified crops. Sinn Féin is of the view that the island of Ireland should be designated a GM-free zone. Those who propagate GM crops claim they do so to save the hungry poor of the world. They are doing no such thing; what they are doing is making a small number of people extremely wealthy.

That responsibility for genetic modification is spread over three Ministries is unsatisfactory. There is enough international experience to show GM crops have not solved the problem of food supply and that they have the potential to damage other crops. Their promotion inhibits research into more traditional and natural solutions to the problems associated with crop growth, disease and wastage.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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It is important that people understand the role GM crops play in Irish agriculture. GM crops are not cultivated in Ireland nor am I aware of any plans to grow them alongside other commercial crops. The issue that arises for Ireland pertains to animal feed. If we are to create competitive industries, whether in pigs, poultry or other livestock sectors, we have to be cost competitive in sourcing feed. However, if we want the price of meal feed to increase for these sectors, we should reject the feed we currently import from the United States and elsewhere. I am not sure people want that, unless genuine health concerns arise. We have been eating meat that has been reared on feed containing GM elements for years. The idea that Ireland is GM free is not accurate in respect of the feed given to animals.

My focus is on ensuring the Irish agri-food sector is competitive and safe. New GM crops which may be part of feeds imported into Ireland will be rigorously tested. I have faith in the European systems from a scientific and safety point of view.

Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein)
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There was speculation in the media that licences were being prepared for the trial cultivation of GM crops in this country. Is the Minister aware of that speculation, which I have not heard confirmed by any authoritative source?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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If licences are to be granted for trial cultivation of GM crops, applicants will have to undergo a lengthy and rigorous process beforehand. I am not aware of any specific developments in this area but if it is happening I would be happy to take note of the Deputy's concerns in order to ensure rigorous assessment procedures are followed.