§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to rescind permission for planting and growing GM crops on farms contaminated with GM products through the planting of oilseed rape. [123764]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 5 June 2000]: None. Farmers do not need permission to grow conventional crops and the GM rapeseed involved in the recent incident was planted inadvertently. The Government could act in relation to the growing of the affected rapeseed crops or others only if there were a risk to public health or the environment. The Government have been advised that this is not the case.
39WWe have, however, explained carefully the position regarding potential marketing of the affected crop, and the arrangements we have secured in relation to entitlement to AAPS payments to farmers.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what the outcome was of the visit to Canada by a departmental seeds expert to investigate the production of contaminated oilseed rape seeds by Advanta; and if he will make a statement. [126097]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 19 June 2000]: We are considering the findings of the visit to Canada. Further investigations are being carried out by the Canadian Authorities.