Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 896: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she will make a statement on the implications for farming here of the decision to allow the importation into the EU of a genetically modified oilseed rape as animal food. [25604/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission authorised on 31 August 2005 the importation, processing and placing on the market of the genetically modified oilseed rape — known as GT73 — for use in animal feed or for industrial purposes. The GM product is not approved for cultivation or food use. This approval, which was in accordance with the authorisation procedures set out in EU Directive 2001/18/EC, came as a consequence of both the regulatory committee and the Council of Ministers failing to reach a qualified majority either for or against the Commission proposal to approve the product.

The authorisation took place within an EU legislative framework that has been adopted by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers and is binding on all member states. The product has been scientifically assessed by the European Food Safety Authority as being as safe as any conventional oilseed rape. I am satisfied the controls contained within the EU authorisation process under which this product was authorized are such as to rule out adverse implications for Irish farming, environment or food safety.