§ Mr. WatsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the environmental impact of GM soya cultivation in the Colonia Loma Senes region of Argentina in order to inform her policy for the United Kingdom. [170167]
§ Mr. MorleyI am aware of various reports of the environmental benefits from the cultivation of GM soya and some reported disadvantages apparently due to mishandling of herbicides. However the Department has not made an assessment of GM soya cultivation in Argentina or elsewhere. Soya is not suitable for general cultivation in the UK and no application has been made to cultivate GM soya in the European Union.