HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc426-7W
Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will estimate the number of genetically modified crops available worldwide which could be substituted immediately for those crops currently grown by farmers in developing countries. [71171]

Clare Short

Subject to the approval of developing country Governments, genetically modified soybean, cotton, oilseed rape, maize, potato, tomato and tobacco could immediately replace existing crops. We have commissioned research on the potential impact on farmers in developing countries of the increased use of genetically modified crops. We will publish the results as they become available.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the genetically modified crops available worldwide which can be grown in developing countries. [70934]

Clare Short

Genetically modified crops which have been approved for commercial production in one or more countries and which could be grown in developing countries include soybean, cotton, oilseed rape, maize, potato, tomato and tobacco. However, my Department has commissioned research on the potential impact on farmers in developing countries of the increased use of genetically modified crops. We will publish the results as they become available.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate she has made of the proportion of genetically modified crops available worldwide which can be grown in developing countries. [70933]

Clare Short

All those genetically modified crops approved for commercial production in one or more countries could be grown in developing countries. We have commissioned research on the potential impact on farmers in developing countries of the increased use of genetically modified crops. We will publish the results as they become available.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what research her Department has undertaken into the possible social, economic and environmental consequences of the introduction of genetically modified crops into developing countries. [70935]

Clare Short

My Department is providing funding to the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to support research into the potential risks of introducing transgenic plants into traditional cropping systems. The project will examine environmental and social risk in the case of pigeon peas grown by smallholder farmers in India. The outcome of this research will be made public.