Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 645: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she intends to declare Ireland a genetically modified free zone to protect Ireland's natural biodiversity and green food producing image especially in view of Clare County Council's decision to ban genetically modified crops. [10742/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the EU legislation, jointly adopted by the European Parliament and the Council, on the cultivation of GM crops specifically prohibits the unilateral declaration of a GM-free country. There are, however, possible options available to restrict the growing of GM crops within regions of a country. These include the concept of voluntarily developed GM free regions, a concept being explored by a number of regional communities and authorities throughout the Union. Another option is to seek a derogation from the Commission that, on the basis of sound scientific evidence, coexistence is not possible in certain regions in respect of certain named crops. The cultivation of these crops can then be legitimally prohibited if the case made is accepted by the Commission.

The green food producing image which is associated with Ireland and promoted so successfully by An Bord Bia plays a vital role in the development and promotion of our food industry. The legislative framework on GMOs put in place by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers which is binding on all member states and which is being fully implemented in Ireland provides for a series of controls along the whole supply chain. This ensures that only food which meets the highest possible levels of safety is produced and marketed in this country and any food containing GMOs has to be labelled.