§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the future of plant variety testing and seed certification in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. GummerThe present arrangements for plant variety testing and seed certification have been in existence for many years and I believe it is now time to take a fresh look at these systems. Accordingly my right hon. Friends and I have asked a small team of officials to conduct a comprehensive review using the following terms of reference:
- (i) to review the operation of the plant variety test and trials systems for Plant Breeders' Rights and the National List in the United Kingdom and their relationship with the non-statutory Recommended list systems;
- (ii) to review the operation of seed certification in the United Kingdom;
- (iii) to examine the legal, technical and financial requirements of these systems;
- (iv) to examine the possibilities for rationalising these and associated systems to meet the future needs of government, industry and consumers efficiently and cost effectively; and to make recommendations.
The review team will start work straight away with the aim of producing a report by the end of this year.