HL Deb 22 June 2000 vol 614 cc41-2WA
Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many versions of genetically modified food crops have already been granted a European Part C marketing consent; and [HL2624]

Whether the purpose of the Farm Scale Evaluations will be undermined by European Part C marketing consents. [HL2625]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)

The following food crops have been granted European-wide Part C consents under Directive 90/220.

For import and processing of grain only:
Company Reference Crop Genetic Modification Consent Issued
Monsanto C/GB/94/M/3/1 Soybeans Herbicide tolerance May 96
AgrEvo C/GB/95/M/5/1 Oilseed Rape Herbicide tolerance June 98
Northrup King C/GB/96/M/4/1 Maize Insect herbicide tolerance June 98

For import, processing and cultivation:
Company Reference Crop Genetic Modification Consent Issued
Ciba-Geigy C/F/4/11–3 Maize Insect and Herbicide tolerance Feb 97
Monsanto C/F/95/12/02 Maize Insect resistance Aug 98
AgrEvo C/F/95/12/07 Maize Herbicide tolerance Aug 98

The purpose of the Farm Scale Evaluations will not be undermined because the government agreement with the industry body SCIMAC reached in November 1999 precludes general cultivation of GM crops until after the conclusion of the farm scale evaluations of that crop whether or not the particular crop has Part C approval for marketing under EU Directive 90/220.