Order of Business - 17th November 2005

Order of Business – 17th November 2005

Mr. Norris: Will the Acting Leader get some
information and take some action on genetically
modified food? On 7 September, EU Commissioners
approved Monsanto’s GT73 oilseed rape
for use as animal feed despite opposition from 13
member states. While six member states voted for
it, because of qualified majority voting and the
abstention of countries such as Ireland, it went
through undemocratically at the whim of the
Commissioners.
This decision has serious consequences for
Ireland because we are in a good situation. We
are geographically isolated and are not affected
by pollen spread by wind. We have the lowest
exposure to GM food and that is a good marketing
strategy. This modified seed can cross-pollinate
with members of the brassica family such as
cabbage, kale and turnips.
Will the Acting Leader clarify the situation and
ask the Government to look at the implementation
implementation
of the so-called safeguard clause, Directive
2001/18/EC, recommended by the Oireachtas
Joint Committees on European Affairs and
Environment and Local Government? This
would protect an important national asset from a
potential threat from generically modified
organisms.
I propose an amendment to the Order of Business,
which is close to the Acting Leader’s heart,
namely, that No. 18, motion 22, be taken before
No. 1. The time limit on the Order of Business
should be extended to a maximum of 45 minutes
to facilitate the proper ventilation of topical
matters of current public interest by Members.
The motion is in the names of the Independent
Senators.