HC Deb 05 June 2000 vol 351 cc35-6W
Mr. Breed

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what assessment he has made of the effect of the charge for making a submission on the number of organisations making representations as part of the consultation regarding the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list; [122773]

(2) what factors he took into account in determining the level of charge levied on those wishing to make representations as part of the consultation regarding the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list; [122774]

(3) how many representations were received regarding the addition of Chardon LL maize to the national seed list prior to the closing date for the consultation. [122776]

Ms Quin

There is a statutory requirement to pay a fee for making written representations (£30) or requesting a hearing (£60) about the proposal to add Chardon LL to the National List. A substantial number of representations (227) and requests for a hearing (68) have been received which will ensure that Ministers receive a wide range of views and evidence about the proposed decision.

The requirement for these statutory fees is set out in the Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) and the level of fees is set in the Seeds (National List of Varieties) (Fees) Regulations 1994 (as amended). These fees were introduced many years ago, prior to the advent of genetically modified plant varieties, to help meet the cost of running the National List representations and hearings system. The representations fee was increased to its current level of £30 from £25 in 1999, and the hearings fee was increased to its current level of £60 from £55 in 1999, in line with general increases in National List fees. They apply equally to GM or conventionally bred varieties.

The National List system does not itself address the safety aspects of GM traits. This is dealt with under quite separate legislation. No GM plant variety may be proposed for addition to the National List until the appropriate GM consents have been obtained and no charge is made to anyone objecting to the DETR or the FSA about the approval of GM crops or foods.