Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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99. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine given the decision by 19 European Union states to prohibit or geographically restrict the cultivation of eight genetically modified crops awaiting European Union regulatory approval, his plans to invoke such a restriction in the whole or part of the State; the discussions he has had on this issue; the groups and persons involved; the implications for an all-island animal health regime, including for the marketing of Irish meat; the timeframe for issuing such a notice to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35144/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The opt-out provisions to restrict any currently authorised/pending GMO for cultivation is provided for in Directive (EU) 2015/412 which falls within the remit of my colleague Mr. Alan Kelly TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Directive allows for Member States to effectively ban crops “during the authorisation procedure of a given GMO or during the renewal of consent/authorisation” within given timeframes. At all other times, the Directive allows for Member States to restrict or prohibit cultivation in all or part of its geographical territory provided that the Member state gives supporting reasons which include environmental policy objectives, town and country planning, land use and socioeconomic impacts.

There is no commercial cultivation of GM crops in Ireland at present. There is currently only one GMO authorised for cultivation in Europe (GM maize –MON 810). It was authorised in 1998 and is cultivated in 5 EU Member States, but is not suitable or relevant to Irish Agriculture.

Under the amending Directive (EU) 2015/412 Ireland can still exercise the right to opt out of GM cultivation with supporting reasons. Any such decision would need to take account of several factors including those relevant to the agriculture sector itself and the scientific evidence provided by the European Food Safety Authority in approving the products in question.

I understand from my Ministerial colleague that, at this juncture, it was considered that acting to restrict cultivation, where such cultivation would not occur in any case was unnecessary. It is further noted that some Member States are utilising the restriction powers under the revised Directive to extend bans which they previously had established under the so-called “safeguard clause” in the previous GMO Directive 2001/18/EC.

With regard to the marketing of meat, the opt-out provisions of Directive 2015/412 are not directly relevant. However I do not expect the decision of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to have any impact on the marketing of Irish meat which will continue to enjoy a reputation as a premium product meeting the highest standards of sustainability.