Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the EU stipulation of rules governing the co-existence of genetically modified organism products and conventional products; when the outcome of the consultation on co-existence arrangements conducted by her Department in 2006 is expected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24588/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Following the decision by the EU Commission that the rules and regulations governing the coexistence of GM crops alongside non GM crops was to be a matter for national authorities, my Department established an interdepartmental/interagency Working Group in August 2003 to identify the issues and implications for Ireland of the cultivation of GM crops and to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices to ensure efficient and effective coexistence. With the benefit of EU Commission Guidelines, set out in Commission Recommendation 2003/556/EC, the Working Group completed its work in December 2005 and a public consultation process followed. I am now in the process of considering the observations received from that consultation process and I will take these into account along with the recommendations made in the Report. I hope to be in a position to bring forward some draft legislation on strategies and procedures to facilitate coexistence of GM and non GM crops by the end of the year.