§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the next meeting on the biosafety protocol will be held; by what date his Department has to make its submission for inclusion in the EU position; and if he will make a statement. [94828]
§ Mr. MeacherAt the informal consultations on the biosafety protocol held by the President of the Extraordinary Conference of the Parties (Ex-COP), Minister Mayr, in Vienna in September, it was decided to resume the Ex-COP between 24-28 January in Montreal. The UK and the EU are considering the options arising from the informal consultations, and the EU position for the resumed negotiations will be established over the coming months. The UK is fully committed to an effective and workable Protocol which can be ratified by all countries active in biotechnology.