Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency to allow the growth of genetically modified potatoes in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18766/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The adjudication of applications for field trials of GM crops is a function assigned to the Environmental Protection Agency, as the competent authority for the purposes of Directive 2001/18/EC on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms; which is transposed into Irish law by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. The conditions set out in the consent granted by the EPA are designed to minimise the possible risks of adventitious contamination of certified seed and ware potato crops in the surrounding area.