§ Mr. Hilary BennTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence from the USA and Canada on boundary contamination by GM crops he has taken into account in determining separation distances for GM crop trials in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [150102]
§ Ms QuinSeparation distances for this spring's GM farm scale trials were announced on 6 February 2001,Official Report, columns 460–91W. The Government asked SCIMAC to increase distances in two cases, following a review by the National Institute for Agricultural Botany (NIAB) of the available scientific data in this area, including evidence from North America on boundary levels of cross-pollination. The separation distances being applied, however, reflect expected levels of cross-pollination on a whole field to field basis. The NIAB report is available on the Ministry website at www.maff.gov.uk.