§ Lord Beaumont of Whitleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will specify, for each of the plantings of genetically-modified crops participating in the recently-announced farm-scale evaluations, (a) the tests and trials which have been, are being and are planned to be, carried out for the purpose of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended); and (b) the date they expect a proposed listing decision to be made under those regulations. [HL2195]
§ Lord DonoughueThe genetically modified crops included in the farm-scale evaluations are forage maize,102WA spring oilseed rape and winter oilseed rape. The industry body SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) is providing seed for the plantings. I understand that SCIMAC have provided seed of two plant varieties (a forage maize and a spring oilseed rape) which are in National List tests and trials for inclusion in plantings of the farm-scale evaluations of genetically modified crops. Tests and trials are carried out on forage maize and spring oilseed rape for the purpose of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended), to establish whether varieties are distinct, uniform and stable and have value for cultivation and use.
The two varieties which I understand SCIMAC have provided for the field-scale evaluations have both completed one year of tests and trials. The spring oilseed rape has recently been planted in National List tests and trials for a second year. It is expected that the forage maize variety will be planted in National List tests and trials for a second year during this planting season. The earliest date at which a decision might be proposed on whether to add these varieties to the UK National List is November 1999 for the spring oilseed rape and February 2000 for the forage maize.
Winter oilseed rape will not be planted in the farm-scale evaluations until the autumn.