Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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652. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his policy towards the European Commission's legislative proposals to reform rules on plant reproductive material and to deregulate new genomic techniques; the extent of his Department's engagement with the Commission in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56892/25]

Holly Cairns (Cork South-West, Social Democrats)
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653. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to address concerns that proposed reforms on plant reproductive material and new genomic techniques will threaten the conservation and circulation of the diversity of cultivated plants, significantly burden and exclude small scale seed producers, restrict farmers in harvesting, using, and exchanging their own seeds, and further consolidate control of our food systems in the hands of large multinationals exerting oligopolistic powers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56893/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 652 and 653 together.

The European Commission adopted proposals for new regulations on Plant Reproductive Material (PRM) and New Genomic Techniques (NGT) in July 2023. Ireland supports both proposals and has contributed constructively to discussions on these proposals at Council Working Party meetings. Negotiations on both proposals continue. The NGT proposal is at trilogue stage and discussions on the PRM proposal continue at Council Working Party.

The PRM proposal aims to modernise the regulation of seeds in the EU, as some of the current seed Directives date back to 1966. The Commission’s proposal includes a derogation that exists currently to allow the use of farm saved seed and a new derogation to allow for the exchange in kind, of limited amounts of this seed and other PRM between farmers. Other derogations within the PRM proposal allow for the production and marketing of PRM by organisations and networks for the conservation of plant genetic resources and the marketing of seed to non-professional users (e.g. amateur gardeners).

New technology and innovation in plant breeding such as NGTs have significant potential to help overcome many of the challenges facing the agricultural sector and in doing so contribute to more resilient and sustainable food systems.

Consolidation within the seed sector is a reality for many years. There are many challenges in the agri food sector, and both these proposals will assist in addressing some of those challenges.

The PRM proposal seeks to balance the burden on small seed organisations and suppliers while protecting end users. Furthermore, the proposal recognises the role that farmers play in food systems. Negotiations on the NGT proposal have sought to balance innovation in plant breeding and access to improved genetics for farmers.

Ireland's position has been informed by public consultations on both proposals.