§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what advice he has received concerning the Dutch permission for sale in the Netherlands of genetically modified raddicio rosso, containing an antibiotic marker gene; [94866]
(2) what steps he is taking to prevent the importation to the United Kingdom of genetically modified raddicio rosso recently licensed in the Netherlands. [94867]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 21 October 1999]: The Dutch authorities have confirmed that, contrary to recent reports, they have not granted permission for the sale of genetically modified raddicio rosso in the Netherlands. Applications for approval for the commercial planting and food use of this crop within the Community are still being scrutinised by the EC Commission and member states and no conclusions have yet been reached.