Last Updated on 2/9/00
By Karen Lutz
Email: karen@biotech-info.net
The report of the independent chairing panel who managed the recent consultation debate on "Genetically Modified Organisms & the Environment" has been accepted by the Government and was published today (9 October 1999). On foot of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the report, the Government also approved and published a policy statement on the release of GMOs to the environment. Speaking at the publication of both documents, Environment and Local Government Minister Noel Dempsey indicated that, in line with the panel's report, Ireland would pursue a positive but precautionary national policy position on the release of GMOs to the environment, based on scientific risk assessment and management. The panel concluded that Ireland cannot afford to ignore the reality or potential of modern biotechnology, but emphasised the need to go forward with caution. In response, Minister Dempsey said "against the global reality of genetic engineering, the chairing panel has addressed our national interests in a realistic and pragmatic way" and he confirmed a primary emphasis on precaution, well grounded on scientific risk assessment and management. Among the main recommendations in the chairing panel's report are -
a review of the Environmental Protection Agency's
resources, the inclusion of consumer representation
on the Agency's GMO Advisory Committee, a
research programme on environmental safety to be
identified and managed by the EPA, further
consideration of ethical issues under the broader
remit of the InterDepartmental Group on Modern
Biotechnology, and a greater effort by all of the
State agencies concerned to provide information
to the public as consumers.
Much responsibility for shaping a more developed and comprehensive regulatory framework on modern biotechnology will fall to be discharged at EU level. With this mind, the Minister confirmed that the chairing panel's report and the Government's policy statement will guide Irish participation in EU negotiations on the updating of Directive 90/220/EEC which governs the deliberate release of GMOs to the environment. Among the main provisions in the proposed revision, which the Minster regards as "as a positive development", are strengthened safety and transparency provisions, particularly relating to environmental risk assessment and labelling. The Minister went on to strongly signal how precaution should be strengthened now, in advance of the revision to the Directive. "The public and the biotechnology industry would be best served if the strengthened evaluation criteria and procedures provided for in the proposal to amend Directive 90/220/EEC were used as the basis for assessing any further authorisations". In this regard, he said "insofar as it is compatible with EU law, Ireland will not support any further authorisations where these more stringent, and in my view, very necessary criteria and procedures have not been applied to their assessment". The Minister expressed his own appreciation and that of the Government for the hard work and professionalism of the chairing panel. "Everyone with an interest in this area, be it environmental protection, economic growth, employment or a combination of these, is indebted to the chairing panel for managing the debate and presenting their report so quickly", he said. In relation to the nineteen non-Governmental organisations who refused to participate in the second part of the public debate, the Minister said "While their withdrawal at an advanced stage was regrettable and demonstrated an unwillingness on their part to acknowledge the views of other participants or to engage in meaningful dialogue, it did not undermine the process. Their absence did not prevent a wide range of views being expressed during the debates before the chairing panel and all of the written submissions were, of course, also considered as part of the overall consultation process". In fairness to all sides in the debate, the Minister said that he had declined all requests for bilateral discussions, including requests from NGOs and industry representatives, while the consultation was in progress. In this regard, he said "I hope that all sides will study the chairing panel's report and the policy statement and I look forward to hearing any views which they may have on the practical implementation of the policy which has now been established after extensive consultation". Copies of the chairing panel's report and the Government's policy statement are being made available on the Department's website www.environ.ie. Click here for : ** NOTICE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed for research and educational purposes only. ** |
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Last Updated on 2/9/00 By Karen Lutz Email: karen@biotech-info.net |
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