Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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205. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government If Ireland will inform the European Commission that it intends to go genetically modified organisms free; the reason for the decision of the Government in this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35079/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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In terms of the issue raised regarding whether Ireland intends to go GMO free and whether we intend to inform the EU Commission of same, it is important to note that, in going GM free, there are several issues that warrant serious and detailed consideration.

In terms of cultivation, it is important to note that currently there is no commercial cultivation of Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) crops in Ireland. There is currently only one GM O crop cultivated in Europe (GM maize – MON 810). However, this product is not suitable or relevant to Irish agricultural conditions. Therefore, at this juncture, it was considered unnecessary to restrict cultivation, where no such cultivation could take place; as such, we have not notified the Commission of any intention to restrict or prohibit GMO cultivation. It should however be noted that Ireland can still exercise the right to opt out of GMO cultivation with supporting reasons, even where specific crops have been approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA ). 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, as well as the potential socio-economic impacts.

In terms of GM food and feed, it is important to note that the animal feed sector in Ireland is reliant on imports of GM protein sources such as soya bean and maize products from North and South America. At present, as there are no alternative sources of non-GM protein, we therefore need to be cognisant of the implications for Irish farmers who may not have access to imported protein, if Ireland were to consider implementing a GMO free policy. The Ministers for Health (in relation to food) and Agriculture, Food and the Marine (regarding animal feed) have supported votes to authorise the placing on the market of such materials for food and feed use (but not for cultivation) on the basis of the scientific recommendations from EFSA and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

Furthermore, in terms of considering any question of going GMO free, consideration would need to be given to the implications for research and development on both the medical and veterinary sectors, where contained use of GMOs are an important element. Ireland currently has a significant number of such R&D activities underway, which are licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

As responsibility for GMO policy and regulation in Ireland rests across a range of Government Departments and Agencies, there is continuing discussion and consideration of issues relating to GMO cultivation, food and feed and its contained use in terms of developments arising at the EU level and specifically where any revised legislation might have practical or legal implications for Ireland.