Concern at EU Commission's approval of GM sweet corn

A Dáil committee has voiced concern that the EU Commission approved for sale a form of genetically engineered maize without any discussion of the issue in either house of the Oireachtas. It has sought legal opinion about the lawfulness of such decisions made by an unelected body.

Mr Michael Mulcahy TD, yesterday presented a motion on the issue to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs. He later temporarily withdrew the motion until the committee's sub-committee on European scrutiny could receive a legal view from its EU parliamentary advisor. His concerns, echoed by sub-committee members at the meeting, related to the Commission's approval last week of a new form of genetically modified sweet corn known as Bt-11 maize.

The Commission was forced to rule on the product because the Council of Agriculture ministers at a meeting last month had failed to do so. They could not reach a qualified majority, leaving it to the Commission to formally authorise the product.

Mr Mulcahy expressed his worry that such an important decision, "should now be made by an unelected body". The motion sought a legal opinion as to whether such a decision was consistent with the Constitution and lawful under EU treaties.

Preliminary opinion presented at the meeting indicated that the Commission's action was acceptable under Irish law.

Speakers including Sen Fergal Quinn, (Ind), Sen Don Lydon, (FF), Mr Pat Carey, (FF) and Ms Mae Sexton (PD) welcomed Mr Mulcahy's intervention, but asked that the motion be delayed until further legal opinion became available.

Mr Mulcahy agreed to withdraw his motion at the urging of the chair, Mr Seán Haughey, but indicated he would resubmit it at a later date.