§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has sought from Canada as to how the contamination of oil seed rape with GM produce occurred. [123766]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 June 2000]One of my officials has visited the Canadian Authorities in Ottawa to seek information on possible sources of the contamination. Further investigations are being carried out by the Canadian Authorities.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Swedish Board of Agriculture concerning their action on contaminated oilseed rape seed; and what action he intends to take as a result. [124352]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 June 2000]MAFF has discussed the recent Advanta incident with the Swedish Board of Agriculture and took account of the position in Sweden and elsewhere in the EU in deciding on appropriate action in the UK.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reports he has received about conventional maize seed which was contaminated by GM maize being grown in this country. [124341]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 June 2000]We have received no such reports. Suggestions have been made in the press that some GM seeds of maize may be present in stocks of non-GM maize seeds. I announced on 17 May 2000,Official Report, column 173W, an urgent study of the risk of GM seeds in imported conventional seeds.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what implications planting of oil seed rape contaminated with GM produce268W has for (a) the separation policy for GM crop trials and other crops and (b) the regulations governing GM crops. [123762]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 June 2000]The Government have initiated a review of separation distances for GM crops and are pressing for new international seed purity standards relating to the presence of GM seeds in conventional seed stocks.