HC Deb 08 June 1999 vol 332 cc246-7W
Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what compensation is available for farmers whose businesses are compromised through the cross-pollination of their non-genetically modified crops with genetically modified crops. [86130]

Mr. Nick Brown

The Government believe that observance of best agriculture practice, including the SCIMAC "Guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops" will ensure that the risk of cross pollination of non-GM crops, and hence compromise to neighbouring farmers' businesses, is minimised.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what protection from cross-pollination of genetically modified crops and non-genetically modified crops exists for(a) organic farmers and (b) conventional farmers. [86129]

Mr. Nick Brown

When evaluating applications for the release of genetically modified crops the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) considers the risks associated with cross pollination and would recommend conditions on the release consent if this was believed to be necessary. Additionally, the SCIMAC "Guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops" include separation distances between GM and non-GM (conventional and organic) crops to ensure that the risk of cross pollination is minimised.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that companies involved in the commercial growing of genetically modified crops segregate genetically modified crops from non-genetically modified crops. [86134]

Mr. Nick Brown

The SCIMAC stewardship programme for the introduction of genetically modified crops launched on 21 May includes the key principle of preserving the identity of GM crops up to the point that they leave the farm gate. This will enable food processors and manufacturers to distinguish between GM and non-GM products and provide consumers with a choice if that is what they want.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the new measures he announced in his statement to the House on biotechnology on 21 May1999, Official Report, columns 1371–84, will include the extension of buffer zones between fields of genetically modified crops and fields of non-genetically modified crops. [86132]

Mr. Nick Brown

The statement by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office welcomed the SCIMAC "Guidelines for growing newly developed herbicide tolerant crops", which include separation distances between GM and non-GM crops to ensure that the risk of cross pollination is minimised. SCIMAC has indicated that it is happy to review these guidelines, including the separation distances, if new evidence shows that this is required.

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the research commissioned by his Department into the cross-contamination between genetically modified crops and crops that are not genetically modified. [84533]

Mr. Nick Brown

[holding answer 17 May 1999): Yes. The report on organic farming and gene transfer from genetically modified crops, commissioned from the John Innes Centre, is being prepared by them for publication and we expect it to be published shortly.