Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the volume of genetically modified produce and seeds imported here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40579/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has responsibility for the regulation of animal feed and seeds containing GMOs. Following the coming into force, in April 2004, of EU Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed and Regulation (EC) 1830/2003 on the labelling and traceability of GM products, all GM produce consisting of or containing GM material in excess of 0.9% must be appropriately labelled. This affords competent authorities the opportunity to accurately establish the level of GM imports into the community.

Since April 2004 all feed imports have been subjected to inspection for accuracy of GM labelling and very high levels of compliance have been detected. The level of GM feed imported into Ireland in 2005 was as follows:

GM maize: 464,000t (95% of total imports)

GM Soya: 204,000t (95% of total imports)

GM Rapeseed: 4,300t (3% of total imports)

GM cottonseed: none out of a total of11,000t

In the case of GM seeds the Commission are still examining proposals relating to labelling thresholds. In the interim a voluntary system, involving the majority of Member States including Ireland, was established whereby imports of certain at risk seeds such as maize, fodder beet, oil seed rape and soya bean seed must be accompanied by a laboratory certificate showing the levels of GM in any seed to be below identified thresholds of 0.3% and 0.5% depending on the crop. All certificates received indicated full compliance with these thresholds.