§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's contribution to the formulation of the negotiating position adopted by the United Kingdom and the EU at the Biosafety Protocol talks taking place in Montreal. [106961]
§ Clare ShortMy Department has played an active role in developing the position adopted by the UK and the EU throughout the negotiations of the Biosafety Protocol to ensure that it takes account of developing country concerns. One of the main benefits of the Protocol for developing countries would be to provide channels for financial and technical assistance to help them build capacity for the safe use and development of genetically modified organisms.