§ Ms Gisela StuartTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his Department's policy towards the importing of genetically modified soya beans from the USA. [8482]
§ Mr. RookerThe use of these beans in Europe have been approved on safety grounds following a thorough scientific assessment. There is therefore no reason to restrict their import. Under World Trade Organisation rules it is not possible for Governments to demand the segregation of genetically modified (GM) crops which have been approved as safe. However, we will be pressing at a European level for all foods which may contain GM ingredients to be labelled to indicate this even where, as in the case of these soya beans, segregation has not taken place.