§ Mr. BakerTo ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if he will make a statement on his policy on the use of land for which the Church Commissioners are responsible for the cultivation of GM crops. [96157]
§ Mr. Stuart BellThe issue of whether Commissioners' land should be leased to allow trials of genetically modified crops to take place is being initially considered by the Church's Ethical Investment Working Group (EIWG), which develops a co-ordinated investment policy for the Church. The EIWG has been studying and consulting widely on the potential impact genetically modified technology could have on current farming practices, biodiversity and the environment. It has not yet concluded its research.