Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the release of genetically modified potatoes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5653/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The recent notification made by BASF to trial genetically modified, GM, potatoes at Summerhill, County Meath, was made to the Environmental Protection Agency. This notification is in accordance with part B of EU Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms, GMOs, into the environment but not for entry to the food chain. Responsibility for making a decision on the application is a matter for the Environmental Protection Agency as the competent authority designated by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Since procedures under legislation are in play, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on this particular application.

My Department's role in GMOs relates to placing on the market of authorised GM feed and the cultivation of authorised GM crops. These roles are governed by binding EU legislation which was adopted over the past number of years by the Council and European Parliament. Government policy on GMOs was set out in the 2000 report of the interdepartmental group on modern biotechnology. This report recommended "a positive acceptance of the potential benefits of biotechnology tempered by a precautionary approach to the potential risks— and to ensure that, so far as possible, the benefits of biotechnology are maximized and the risks minimized without compromising on safety for people or environment".

Any application to grow authorised GM potatoes in Ireland would therefore be considered by my Department within the context of a legislative framework governing coexistence. As the Deputy is aware, I have received the report of the interdepartmental group on coexistence. I am currently seeking observations on the recommendations in the report which I will draw on in finalising our national coexistence measures.