HC Deb 14 July 1999 vol 335 cc263-4W
Joan Ruddock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, (1) pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1999,Official Report, column 554, if he will list the amounts of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphoric acid in residues of glufosinate-treated conventionally bred soya and genetically modified glyphosate-tolerant soya and the residues of glufosinate in conventionally bred soya and glufosinate and n-acetyl glufosinate in genetically modified varieties treated with glufosinate ammonium; and what the maximum permitted United Kingdom levels of retained residue are for each chemical; [91183]

(2) if he will list the chemical residues retained as a result of crop treatment of (a) imported genetically modified maize and (b) imported non-genetically modified maize; if he will give the amounts of each retained chemical and the current maximum permitted levels for each chemical. [91047]

Mr. Rooker

[holding answer 13 July 1999]: Glyphosate: Experimental studies indicate that two major residues may be found in soya and maize crops treated with glyphosate. The residues concerned are glyphosate itself and its metabolite aminomethylphosphoric acid (AMPA). These two residues occur in both conventionally treated and genetically modified (GM) glyphosate tolerant crops. However, the levels of the metabolite AMPA are generally higher in the GM crops.

The maximum residue level (MRL) permitted for glyphosate in maize in the UK is 0.1 mg/kg. This was the lowest level at which glyphosate could be reliably detected at the time the MRL was set, so represents an effective 'zero'. No MRL has been set for AMPA, as it is of less toxicological significance to humans than glyphosate.

The UK MRL for glyphosate on soya is 20 mg/kg. All maize and soya, including imports of GM and conventional crops, must comply with these MRLs.

The Government carried out monitoring for residues of glyphosate in imported and home produced maize during 1998. The results of this monitoring, including information on the actual levels found, will be published later this year. We are monitoring for residues of glyphosate and its metabolite in soya products during 1999. The results will be published next year.

Glufosinate ammonium: In the case of glufosinate ammonium, the major residue in traditional soya varieties is glufosinate. In GM soya varieties, the major components of the residue are glufosinate and a metabolite n-acetyl glufosinate.

No consent has been given to market genetically modified glufosinate ammonium tolerant soya in Europe, so setting an MRL for n-acetyl glufosinate has not been considered. There are currently no UK statutory MRLs for glufosinate ammonium, but any food treated with glufosinate ammonium must pose no unacceptable risk to consumers under general UK food safety legislation. The Government are monitoring for residues of glufosinate ammonium and its metabolite in soya products during 1999. The results will be published in the year 2000.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent reports he has received from the United States Department of Agriculture on(a) the yields of genetically modified crops grown in the United States and (b) the quantities of chemical treatments used for such crops compared to non-genetically modified crops; and if he will make a statement. [91048]

Mr. Rooker

[holding answer 13 July 1999]I have received no such reports from the US Department of Agriculture.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what comparative assessment his Department has made of the herbicide-residue levels in(a) GM soya and (b) non-GM soya; and if he will make a statement. [90722]

Mr. Rooker

[holding answer 13 July 1999]Data on residue levels of the herbicide glyphosate in both traditionally bred and GM soya have been submitted to the EU in support of the Maximum Residue Level (MRL). The data for traditionally bred soya were evaluated by EU experts and assessed by all EU member states, including the UK, by the MRL setting process. Subsequently, the data for GM soya were evaluated. The same MRL was set.

No approval has been given for the marketing of glufosinate ammonium tolerant soya in the UK.