HC Deb 10 May 2000 vol 349 cc385-6W
Mr. Caton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action his Department takes to warn beekeepers when genetically modified crops are planted close to their apiaries. [120696]

Mr. Meacher

The legislation requires that proposed locations of releases of GM crops for research purposes (Part B) have to be advertised locally before sowing takes place. The advertisement must give information on the name and address of the applicant, the GM crop, the location and general purpose of the trial and the foreseen sowing dates. A full list of current and proposed releases is on my Department's website and on the Public Register.

Once a GM crop has Europe-wide consent for placing on the market (Part C), there is no requirement for prior notification of planting. However, only one such crop is currently grown in the UK, as part of the Farm Scale Evaluations programme. Under the agreement between the Government and the industry body, SCIMAC, the locations of the Evaluations will be published on my Department's website and the farmers involved will alert their neighbours.