§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what reports he has received concerning the sale of Advanta Seeds UK's Hyota oil seed rape seeds found to be contaminated with GM herbicide-tolerant seeds; and what action he plans to take. [123756]
§ Mr. Alan Johnson[holding answer 25 May 2000]: The UK Government were informed on 17 April that stocks of oil seed rape seed sold by Advanta might contain low levels of GM material. In line with Government priorities to protect public health and the environment, the Department of Health and the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions sought urgent advice from the Food Standards Agency and the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment respectively. The advice was that there were no risks to human health or the environment. Contamination of seed stocks is a MAFF responsibility, and last week the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced measures that the Government will take. DTI has no specific responsibility for any of the issues involved.