Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the reports, in regard to genetically modified animals in the United States of America, which suggest that foods produced from some bioengineered animals will not have to be labelled; if there is a requirement that all foods imported into Ireland from the United States must be labelled to indicate all ingredients including genetically modified ingredients; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32441/08]

Mary Wallace (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority in Ireland for the enforcement of EU legislation regarding food derived from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) — generally referred to as GM food. The labelling of GM food within the EU is governed specifically by the GM Food and Feed Regulations (EC Regulations 1829/2003). These regulations require that all food and feed imported into the single market, including Ireland, must comply with specific labelling rules.

Specific GM labelling is required where more than 0.9% of a food or ingredient is produced from, or contains a GMO, and this requirement is not dependent on the presence of GM DNA or protein. Where the GM content of a food or ingredient is no more than 0.9%, specific GM labelling is not required provided operators can demonstrate that they have taken steps to avoid the presence of GM ingredients and therefore its presence is adventitious or technically unavoidable. Genetically modified food and feed is only authorised for placing on the Community market after a scientific evaluation under the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority, of any risks which they present for human and animal health and, as the case may be, for the environment. This scientific evaluation is followed by a risk management decision by the Community, under a regulatory procedure ensuring close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States.

In addition GM Food and Feed must meet the requirements of the General Labelling Directive (2000/13/EC) which stipulates that labelling must not mislead the consumer as to the characteristics of the foodstuff and, in particular, as to its nature, identity, properties, composition, method of production and manufacturing. Foods imported into Ireland from the USA must therefore be labelled in compliance with the aforementioned EU legislation. I have also been advised by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) that in the United States GM animals are only in research facilities and consequently labelling is not an issue as none are yet authorised for food production. The FSAI routinely surveys the food supply in Ireland to ensure that only EU-authorised and appropriately labelled GM food ingredients are placed on the market. In their recent survey, published in February 2008, no breaches of GM food legislation were found.