§ Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Seeds (National List of Varieties) Regulations; and what plans she has to amend them. [62581]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 18 June 2002]: Changes to the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 2001 will be needed in the near future to amend references 474W to EC seeds marketing directives which are currently being codified by the Council of the European Union, and other minor matters.
In reply to a parliamentary question on 28 November 2000, the Government also made it clear that the arrangements for requesting a hearing on proposed national list decisions would be reviewed during the Chardon LL hearing, in order to consider whether the current arrangements were satisfactory for all parties. The Chardon LL hearing closed on 13 June and it remains the Government's intention to review how those arrangements have worked. If changes are proposed, all interested parties will be consulted in the normal way.