Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the guarantees which can be given to farmers here that genetically modified oilseed rape animal feed due to be imported here will not germinate and cross contaminate other brassica crops, ending farm livelihoods which depend on genetically modified free production. [34228/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food the guarantees she can give to Irish farmers that genetically modified oilseed rape animal feed due to be imported here will not germinate and cross contaminate other brassica crops, ending farm livelihood's which depend on GM free production. [34475/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 430 together.

I presume the Deputy is referring to the genetically modified oilseed rape, known as GT73, which was authorised by the European Commission last August for importation and placing on the market within the EU for use in animal feed and industrial purposes. The authorisation of this product took place within an EU legislative framework that has been adopted by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers. This legislation is binding on all member states and is aimed at ensuring that the highest standards of food safety and environmental protection are in place within the EU. It should be noted that the product has been scientifically assessed by the European Food Safety Authority as being as safe as any conventional oilseed rape.

The issue of the accidental spillage of this product was addressed in the Commission decision which authorised the product when it specifically stated that the consent holder, Monsanto in this case, shall directly inform operators and users concerning the safety and general characteristics of the product and of the conditions as to monitoring, including the appropriate management measures to be taken in case of accidental grain spillage. The appropriate management measures, which include plans to eradicate volunteer oilseed rape plants, are set out in a separate Commission recommendation.