§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will set out the process which will apply in respect of the public consultation exercise on modification. [84727]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Government is sponsoring a public dialogue on genetic modification (GM) technology and this will focus on issues and concerns raised by the public. This consists of three strands:
A public debate organised independently of the Government, overseen by an independent steering board chaired by Professor Malcolm Grant, chair of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission (AEBC).
A review of the science surrounding GM issues, led by Professor David King (the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser) working with Professor Howard Dalton (the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).
656WAn expert Science Review Panel, chaired by Professor King, will review and summarise the state of scientific knowledge, concerns and areas of uncertainty over GM science issues
The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit is carrying out a study into the overall costs and benefits of GM crops, including their effect on conventional and organic farming interests.
The Strategy Unit study, along with the science review, will feed into the public debate. The overall process is now underway and will continue until June next year.