Genetically Modified Organisms (Hansard, 18 February 1998)

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his assessment of the timetable for the revision of Council Directive 90/220/EEC; and if he will make a statement. [29713]
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§ Mr. Meacher
The European Commission presented a proposal for revision of directive 90/220 at the last Environment Council, and is expected to publish the formal proposal in the next few weeks. The UK intends to hold a preliminary discussion at the June Council.
Following normal procedures, we would expect it to take several years before agreement on the directive could be reached across the Community.

§ Ms Walley
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what investigations of Novartis genetically-modified maize he has commissioned; and if he will make a statement. [29714]

§ Mr. Meacher
Competent Authorities from Member States have considered two applications for approval to market genetically modified maize under the provisions of Directive 90/220/EEC from companies which are now part of the Norvatis group. In the UK, the dossiers of information including an assessment of the risks to human health and the environment have been considered by officials and expert advice was sought from the relevant Advisory Committees. In addition in both cases the applications have been considered by the Commission's expert committees. My Department sees no need to commission any further investigation into Norvatis genetically modified maize.
An application (C/F/4/11–3) was submitted by Ciba-Geigy to the French Competent Authority for unrestricted marketing of maize resistant to corn borers. After due consideration by the French Authorities, other Member States and the appropriate commission scientific committees it was granted an approval by the French Authorities on 5 February 1997.
An application (C/GB/96/M4/1) was submitted by Northrup King Company to the Great Britain Competent Authority to market maize resistant to corn borers to be imported, stored and processed to non-viable products and to be used for animal feeds. After due consideration the dossier has been forwarded to the European Commission with a favourable opinion. A decision from other Member States is awaited following consideration by the Commission's scientific committee.
A summary of these dossiers is on the public register at the Department and a copy of the dossiers is available on request.