HC Deb 11 November 1998 vol 319 cc254-5W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that no genetically modified seed will be proposed for inclusion on the national seed list unless and until a marketing consent for that seed has been granted under Part C of Directive 90/220. [59045]

Mr. Rooker

[holding answer 9 November 1998]: Marketing of the main agricultural and horticultural species cannot take place until a variety has been added to the UK National List or the EU Common Catalogue. For genetically modified varieties, marketing is also dependent on the promulgation of a marketing consent under Directive 90/220/EEC. National Listing would not, therefore, on its own, be sufficient to permit the marketing of a genetically modified plant variety. It is currently MAFF policy not to propose the addition of genetically modified plant varieties to the National List unless and until the relevant consent has been promulgated under 90/220/EEC.

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