RESOURCES
DOCUMENTS:
DAIL QUESTIONS
Questions placed in Dail Eireann during the week of 3 May 2004 by Mr. Martin Ferris TD (Sinn Fein) to Minister of Agriculure, Mr. Joe Walsh, TD:
105. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if liability will fall upon the biotech companies if insurance companies refuse to provide cover for genetically modified crops. [13802/04]
106. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will require that full insurance cover be in place prior to the permitting of the growing of genetically modified crops. [13803/04]
107. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food if he will require that biotech liability legislation will be put in place prior to consideration of allowing the growth of commercial genetically modified crops. [13805/04]
Response by Minister for Agriculture and Food Mr. Joe Walsh:
I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together.
An interdepartmental and inter-agency working group has been set up in my Department, inter alia to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practice relating to the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming. The working group, as part of its work programme, will examine the issue of liability and compensation in the context of any economic loss incurred by a farmer as a result of the planting of GM crops in an area.
111. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the steps which will be taken to protect crops in the State from cross-contamination if genetically modified crops are grown in the Six Counties. [13807/04]
112. Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the statutory rules in place or planned to be put into place regarding the co-existence of genetically modified and conventional crops. [13808/04]
Response by Minister for Agriculture and Food Mr. Joe Walsh:
I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.
EU Directive 2001/18/EC places an obligation on member states to develop proposals for a national strategy and best practices relating to the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic farming. An interdepartmental and interagency working group has been set up in my Department inter alia to develop such proposals. The working group, as part of its work programme, is currently meeting and having discussions with relevant stakeholders in the preparation of their recommendations. These discussions will include the Northern Ireland authorities with particular reference to their co-existence strategies.
