Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 176: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her plans to evaluate the economic implications of the use of genetically modified organisms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26220/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, an interdepartmental-interagency working group was established within my Department in October 2003 to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming. I have just recently received the report of the group and I am in the process of examining it. While part of the group's work programme included an appraisal of economic implications of co-existence I believe that the wider economic issues should also be examined. Accordingly, I have asked Teagasc to explore the possibility of carrying out an evaluation of the possible implications for the agri-food industry from the possible use of GMOs in crop and livestock production. This evaluation is near finalisation.