Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans her Department has to evaluate the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13994/05]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the plans she has to evaluate the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms; the action being taken by her Department to trace the full consignment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14009/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 89 together.

Teagasc has an ongoing programme of research investigating the potential risks and benefits associated with the growing of GM crops in Ireland including, inter alia, the economic implications. Preliminary research completed by it to date indicates that the cultivation of certain crops with certain modifications may provide a financial incentive to the individual Irish farmer. While strands of this research parallel recently completed work in other countries, it does not specifically address the costs associated with the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops. The general conclusion of recent Danish and UK research on the economic impact of co-existence on farm profitability is that the costs of complying with the required thresholds for crops of maize, potatoes, cereals, oilseed rape and sugar beet vary from zero to 9% above the costs of growing conventional crops. However, it should be noted that costs described were based on estimates.

To establish greater clarity in the matter, as far as Irish conditions are concerned, I have asked Teagasc to explore the possibility of carrying out an evaluation of the possible national economic implications for the agri-food industry from the possible use of GMOs in crop and livestock production. Teagasc has now set up an internal working group of economists, agronomists and animal scientists to address this question in more detail and it plans to publish the results of the analysis in due course.

In regard to tracing a consignment, EU legislation, which was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in 2003, requires that all GM products have to be properly labelled and be accompanied by the appropriate documentation to facilitate full traceability.