§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his Department's press release of 21 October 1998 in respect of genetically modified crops,(a) when the first commercial planting will take place, (b) what specific measures are to accompany any such release to prevent possible cross-contamination and (c) for what length of time the long-term monitoring arrangement for each individual release is planned to continue. [56653]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 26 October 1998]: The answer is as follows:
- (a) We have reached agreement that there will be no commercial planting of insect-resistant genetically modified crops for 3 years and no commercial planting of herbicide-tolerant genetically modified crops for at least 1 year in the first instance and only then if we are satisfied that the evidence shows that they would be unlikely to pose a risk either to human health or the environment either directly or indirectly.
- (b) The crops will be grown in compliance with a code of practice being drawn up by the industry body Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops (SCIMAC). This includes specific measures to ensure separation between genetically modified and non-genetically modified crops to prevent cross-pollination. The exact distances will be determined on a crop by crop basis, but based on current protocols for production of certified seed.
- (c) The details of the long term monitoring of the farm-scale plantings to be undertaken in 1999 have yet to be agreed with English Nature and the other conservation interests. We will review the results at the end of the first year. However, I would expect monitoring to continue for about 3 years.