§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure, in relation to hearings to be held in respect of the proposed decision to add the genetically modified maize variety Chardon LL to the UK National List, that(a) original trial data are made available in a full and timely manner to those requesting such a hearing and (b) officials will appear at the hearings, give evidence and be available for cross-examination. [121442]
§ Ms QuinThe data on which proposed National List decisions are based are made available on request. The consolidated data on which the Chardon LL proposed decision was based have already been made available to a number of individuals and organisations.
The Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended) provide for written representations to be made to Ministers by persons affected by a proposed decision to add a plant variety to the National List and for oral evidence to be given by them to a person appointed by the Ministers. There is no provision for the giving of evidence to the appointed person by Ministry officials, and the appointed person's role is to marshall the views put rather than to make recommendations. Were there to be an appeal to the Plant Variety and Seeds Tribunal after this hearing, the legislation provides both for officials to give evidence and to be available for cross examination.