§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for what reasons in the proposed draft Seeds (National Lists of Variations) Regulations 2000 consultation he proposes to abolish statutory measures relating to(a) oral representations at a public hearing, (b) the definition of persons affected, (c) rules of conduct for public hearings and (d) the requirement of fees in respect of such hearing; and replace them with ministerial discretion. [111649]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 28 February 2000]: The proposed regulations do not abolish statutory rights to make oral representations about proposed decisions on National Listing. The proposal is to transfer the detail of how such rights are exercised from Regulations to the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette. It is now more usual to set out such administrative detail separately, rather than include it in legislation. The proposals also provide for all fees associated with National Listing to be set administratively, rather than by regulation, subject to such fees being reasonable. The draft regulatory impact assessment which accompanied the proposals explained that we do not expect them to result in extra costs to industry, citizens or the environment.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what applications in respect of genetically modified wheat and genetically modified maize(a) have been considered and (b) are currently under consideration in respect of inclusion on the European seed list common register; if such applications will be a matter for joint consideration with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions; and if he will make a statement. [111412]
§ Ms QuinPrior to February 2000, varieties added to a member state's National List could be included on the Agricultural Common Catalogue provided no member state indicated they intended to seek a derogation prohibiting marketing of the variety in their territory. No Genetically Modified varieties of wheat or maize were added to the Agricultural Common Catalogue under these arrangements.
Under new arrangements which came into effect in February 2000, varieties may progress automatically from member states National Lists to the Common Catalogue. For genetically modified plant varieties, this progression requires a marketing consent under Directive 90/220/EEC on the Deliberate Release into the Environment of Genetically Modified Varieties and, where appropriate, an authorisation under the Novel Foods Regulation No. 97/258/EEC. No genetically modified wheat varieties have either been considered or added to the Common Catalogue under these new arrangements. There are currently three genetically modified maize varieties included in member states' National Lists which the EU Commission is considering for inclusion in the Common Catalogue. These are CHARDON LL, included in the Dutch National List, and COMPA CB and JORDI CB, included in the Spanish National List. The decision on whether to add these varieties to the Common Catalogue is for the Commission to determine on the basis of whether the necessary regulatory requirements have been met.
800WThe Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions is not involved in considering whether plant varieties may be added to the Common Catalogue.