§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the activities of the United States Government in promoting the interests of the genetically modified food industry based in the United States of America; what pressure has been applied by the United States Government to his Department directly or indirectly in this respect; and if he will make a statement. [60931]
§ Mr. RookerNo specific assessment of the United States' trade promotion activities relating to genetically modified (GM) foods has been made by this Department. However, the US is a major exporter of agricultural commodities and food, which include GM crops and foods containing ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms, and it is known that the US Government, like all governments, engage in trade promotion activity.
Any organisation which wishes to market GM crops or foods in the EU must meet the rigorous safety assessment requirements established under EC regulatory frameworks governing market approval for such crops and food. No pressure of any sort has been applied by the US Government on this Department in respect of GM crops or foods.