§ Lord Morris of Castle Morrisasked Her Majesty's Government:
Following recent reports about the possible GM contamination of French maize crops, what action they are taking to check if UK crops are affected. [HL3209]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)Following reports in the French press last week that the French authorities had discovered low levels of GM presence in conventional maize seed imported into France, we contacted the French authorities, who confirmed on 30 June that they had indeed found some GM seed in conventional maize seed, which has been sown in south-west France. Further information now indicates that they have found three different modifications in a number of varieties of forage maize imported into France by the Company Golden Harvest. The French authorities have not yet confirmed which varieties of maize seed are involved, but have confirmed that sweetcorn varieties are not affected by their current investigations. We are seeking further information from them on the varieties concerned. However, as the varieties 157WA concerned are cultivated in southern France, it is possible that they would be unsuitable for cultivation in UK conditions.
The GMs found in maize samples by the French authorities are BT 176 and BT 11, and one further, as yet unidentified, modification. BT 176 is insect resistant and has Part C consent within the EU under Directive 90/220 for import, food and feed use, and for cultivation. BT 11 is insect resistant and has Part C consent for import and use in animal feed. Pending further information from the French authorities, my department, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, and the Food Standards Agency are considering what the implications would he should further investigations indicate that affected seed may have been sown in the UK.