§ Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the budget for the Food Standards Agency debate on GM foods; who will be contracted to conduct the debate; and how the Government's own debate on GM foods will interact with that of the FSA. [85148]
§ Ms BlearsThe Food Standards Agency is providing an independent contribution to the Government's debate on genetically modified (GM) foods. The Agency's contribution will consist of several elements including a citizen's jury and surveys on attitudes of young people and those on low incomes to GM foods, the details of which have yet to be finalised. The Agency has estimated that this will cost approximately 147W £110,000. It has agreed to provide updates to the independent GM debate steering board and the results of the Agency's work will be discussed in public at an FSA Board meeting before the Government's GM debate concludes.