Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if she has had contacts with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding field trials of genetically modified crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32926/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that I have had no contacts with the EPA in respect of any GM event. With regard to the application from BASF to the EPA earlier this year to trial a GM blight free potato at a farm in Co Meath my Department responded to the consultation process undertaken by the EPA. I am pleased to note that many of the issues raised by my Department were taken on board in the conditions attached to the subsequent approval by the EPA which is the Competent Authority in this area. Despite the granting of the approval by the EPA, BASF has not commenced trials. The EPA approval will continue to be valid for 2007.

The procedures for the consideration of applications for field trials of genetically modified crops are set out in Part B of EU Directive 2001/18/EC which is transposed into Irish law by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2003. Adjudication of these applications is a function of the independent Environmental Protection Agency, as the Irish competent authority for the purposes of the Directive. The process undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency includes public consultation, agency investigation and assessment of monitoring plans.

The GM area of direct relevance to my Department is that relating to the issue of the coexistence of authorized GM crops alongside non-GM crops. The Commission has decided that co-existence should be addressed at Member State level and has provided a series of Guidelines to assist in dealing with the issues that arise. All Member States, including Ireland, have been engaged in a process of drawing up strategies and best practices to provide for effective coexistence arrangements. Last November I received a Report and Recommendations from an Interdepartmental Group, comprised of representatives of the Department of Agriculture and Food, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Teagasc and the EPA. This Interdepartmental Group examined issues relating to coexistence and developing a national strategy and best practices for coexistence arrangements in Ireland. In drawing up the Report the Group considered submissions from stakeholders.

In December 2005 I arranged for the placing of the Report on my Department's website and invited further observations from all interested parties on the recommendations in the Report. Some 66 submissions were received by the 31 March closing date. I will take into consideration these submissions when I am finalising the coexistence measures which will apply here.