Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if procedures are in place for random testing of imported animal feeds in order that they do not contain the non-authorised genetically modified organism Bt10; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17377/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following the coming into force, on 21 April, of the EU Commission Decision 2005/317/EC on emergency measures regarding the non-authorised genetically modified organism "Bt10" in maize products, my Department has introduced a requirement that all imports of maize gluten feed and distillers dried grains originating from the USA be accompanied by an original analytical certificate to demonstrate that Bt10 maize is not present. My Department has also introduced a system whereby samples of these imports are randomly taken and sent to the State Laboratory for analysis to confirm the absence of Bt10.

The European Food Safety Authority has concluded that this incident does not constitute an immediate public health risk, a position fully endorsed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, FSAI.