Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action she will take to address the rapid increase in the cost of imported feed as a result of the Government position at EU level on genetically modified import; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26076/07]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 382: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the action she will take to address the rapid increase in the cost of imported feed as a result of the Government position at EU level on genetically modified imports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26116/07]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 382 together.

The increase in the price of animal feed being experienced by Irish farmers over the last 12 months has impacted most significantly on pig enterprises. I have, in recent times, worked with my EU colleagues, both at Council and bilaterally, to have steps taken aimed at improving the situation and ameliorating some of the difficulties being caused by the price increases. These steps include a suspension of the obligation to set 10% of arable land aside; the introduction of an aid for private storage of pigmeat package; and at last week's Council of Minister I called on the Commission to introduce export refunds to provide additional support for the pigmeat sector.

In the context of Genetically Modified feed, it is also worth noting that the European Commission approved Herculex and two other maize products last week. I welcome recent statements from the European Food Safety Authority indicating that steps are being taken in conjunction with the US authorities to identify ways of minimising the time lag between the authorisation of new GM events in the US and in the EU.