Tom Kitt, Minister for Consumer Affairs said today (Wednesday 17th February, 1999) that he is determined to ensure that the rights of consumers are fully protected in the matter of genetically modified foods. Questions which have been raised recently concerning the safety of such foods are matters for expert analysis and advice. He has full confidence in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, which has recently established a Genetically Modified Organisms Sub-Committee to advise the Minister for Health and Children on issues in this area, to undertake its task with diligence and total independence.

"However, whatever the views of the experts (and it is clear that opinions among them differ), the consumer is entitled to exercise his or her own choice in regard to genetically modified foods and to be provided with the means necessary to do so. The option to purchase foods which are guaranteed to be free of genetically modified organisms is a basic consumer right. For this reason adequate labelling is the key consumer issue in this debate", the Minister said.

The Minister added "Labelling requirements under current EU law are inadequate. These deficiencies are currently being addressed at EU level and the Government is fully committed to supporting these developments and working to ensure that the consequent legislation fully respects consumer rights." To this end, the Minister is maintaining close contact with his colleagues Noel Dempsey, Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Brian Cowen, Minister for Health and Children and Tom Moffatt, Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children.