Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 25 May 2005, she has studied the United Kingdom Royal Society results of genetically modified trials for winter oilseed rape; if she will ensure such genetically modified crops are not grown here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26469/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the results of the farm scale evaluation trials, published by the United Kingdom Royal Society, on a study carried out in Britain that compared genetically modified winter oilseed rape against its conventional counterpart. I am sure this information will feed into any future amendments that will be made by the EU in respect of the approval of oilseed rape for cultivation within the EU.

As the Deputy is aware EU legislation governing the growing and distribution of GM products within the EU has been jointly adopted by both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers, after many years of negotiations and discussions. The provisions of this legislation are binding on all member states. The only area where subsidiarity is permitted within this legislative framework is in regard to co-existence between GM crops and non-GM crops. Member states have been asked to draw up their own rules in how this can be implemented and I have just recently received a report and recommendations from the interdepartmental interagency working group which was established to draw up such rules for this country.