§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to his answer of 10 February 2000,Official Report, column 289W, if the use of glufosinate ammonia and its effects on the environment is being monitored as part of the trials being undertaken on GM winter oil seed rape. [111364]
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps would have to be taken to lift the prohibition on winter use of glufosinate ammonia; and in what circumstances the lifting of the ban would be considered. [111354]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The prohibition is contained in the five approvals for the commercial use of glufosinate ammonium products on oil seed rape. Lifting the prohibition would only be considered if an application, accompanied by information to demonstrate that this particular use posed no unacceptable risk to people, wildlife or the wider environment, were received. Experimental approvals, allowing strictly limited use but no sales, may be granted in order for experimental information to be collected to support such an application.