§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that, in notifying the Government on 17 April of the genetically modified contamination of certain oilseed rape seed, Advanta had effectively put the issue in the public domain. [HL2622]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Hayman)No. Advanta initially informed the Government in confidence that some of their seed stocks might contain GM seed. During the Government's subsequent investigations it became clear that the issue must be placed in the public domain.