Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the release of genetically modified crops; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40495/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's national policy on GMOs was officially set out in the October 2000 Report of the Interdepartmental Group on Modern Biotechnology which was endorsed by the Government. The overall conclusion of this report was summarised as "a positive acceptance of the potential benefits of biotechnology tempered by a precautionary approach to the potential risks — and to ensure that as far as is possible, the benefits of biotechnology are maximised and the risks minimised without compromising on safety for people and the environment".

Coupled with this position is the comprehensive set of GM legislation which has been adopted by the European Parliament and the Council over the last five years under the co-decision procedure. This new legislation, which is binding on all member states, governs the assessment and approval procedures for GM crops, food and feed which ensures that the highest standards are in place to protect the citizens of the Community from a food safety and environmental safety aspect. The current authorisation procedure for the deliberate release of GM crops into the environment is the most stringent in the world. Accordingly we can be reasonably assured that this system, which has at its core a rigorous scientific risk evaluation system, will ensure that the environment and the food chain will be fully protected following the release of authorized GM crops. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the Competent Authority in Ireland responsible for the authorization of GM crops for deliberate release into the environment.