HC Deb 15 June 1999 vol 333 cc124-5W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate the number of test sites needed for national list applications for maize, oilseed rape, fodder and sugar beet in each year to 2003. [86485]

Mr. Rooker

The projected numbers of test sites to be sown per year for each variety from autumn 1999 to spring 2003 are listed in the table. Different varieties of a species entered in the same year are normally tested at the same sites, although the entry of genetically modified varieties may result in separate trial sites being sown. Test site requirements are subject to review and while no major changes to the numbers given are anticipated it is not possible to forecast the outcome of such reviews.

Crop Number of sites per variety/year
Maize 5
Winter oilseed rape 11
Spring oilseed rape 4
Fodder beet 1
Sugar beet 6