HC Deb 25 March 1999 vol 328 c409W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the advice he has offered supermarkets on the labelling and segregation of genetically modified organisms. [78366]

Mr. Rooker

Supermarkets were informed of the Government's policy that all foods containing GM material should be clearly labelled back in June 1997, when they received copies of the MAFF News Release 147/97 announcing this. Since then, all supermarkets, along with other interested parties, have been kept informed of the emerging legal requirements for the labelling of GM foods and were included in the two consultation exercises on the Food Labelling (Amendment) Regulation 1999 which took place in July 1998 and February 1999. The following MAFF News Releases were issued at key stages in the development of EC and domestic legislation on GM labelling: 211/98 issued on 21 May 1998; 315/98 issued on 29 July 1998; 95/99 issued on 18 March 1999; and 99/99 issued on 19 March 1999. They are also aware of the list of some 60 non-GM suppliers which the Department produced last year (News Release 123/98 issued on 30 March 1998). Copies of all these News Releases are available in the Library of the House.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent meetings his Department has held with supermarkets to discuss genetically modified organisms. [78365]

Mr. Rooker

During the last year, supermarkets were represented, as indicated, at the following meetings on GM foods:

  • ACNFP monitoring sub-group—Sainsbury (March 1998)
  • Parliamentary Secretary (Lords)—Iceland (April 1998)
  • Officials—Safeway (May 1998)
  • Officials—Sainsbury (June 1998)
  • Officials—Tesco (September 1998)
  • ACNFP monitoring sub-group—Safeway and Sainsbury (December 1998)
  • Officials—Safeway (March 1999)
  • Minister of State—Safeway and Tesco (March 1999).

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