HC Deb 16 December 1996 vol 287 c438W
Mr. Steen

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the percentage of imported foodstuffs which will contain genetically engineered ingredients in(a) January 1997 and (b) January 1998; and if he will make a statement. [8960]

Mr. Browning

Of the 1996 USA soya bean harvest, about 2 per cent. has come from genetically modified plants, this is anticipated to rise to 10 per cent. in 1997. Of the 1996 USA maize harvest, approximately 0.6 per cent. comprised genetically modified plants and it is expected that in 1997 this will rise to 5 per cent.

Other countries are planting genetically modified crops next year. The level of imports into the UK cannot be predicted with any accuracy at this time.