§ Sir Archy KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will pay invoices submitted to her Department by Peter Boddy Ltd. in connection with the slaughter of animals at Skipton, Thirsk and Whitby during the foot and mouth outbreak. [88501]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 7 January 2003]Valid invoices submitted to the Department by Peter Boddy Ltd. in connection with the slaughter of animals during the foot and mouth outbreak have been paid. A legally binding full and final settlement agreement was made between the Department and Peter Boddy Ltd on 20 August, 2002.
§ Sir Archy KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will(a) authorise interest to be paid on the outstanding sums in the invoices rendered by Peter Boddy Ltd. and (b) make an ex-gratia payment to Peter Boddy Ltd. and his sub-contractor Mr. Houldey for the costs incurred in trying to obtain payment for her work during the foot and mouth outbreak. [88503]
Separation distances for GM rapeseed trials in North America Brassica napus Brassica rapa Canada 200 metres from Brasssica species or a 10 metre guard row of B. napus 400 metres from other B. rapa and 200 metres from other Brassica species, or a 100 metre guard row of B. rapa flowering concurrently with the GM rape USA 660 feet (201 metres) or a 30 foot (9.2 metre) border of non-GM rape flowering concurrently with the GM rape 1,320 feet (403 metres) or a 30 foot (9.2 metre) border of non-GM rape flowering concurrently with the GM rape
§ Mr. Peter AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 7 November 2002,Official Report, column 549W, on GM organisms, when she expects to conclude her consideration of the European Commission's proposals on thresholds for the adventitious presence of approved GM seeds in non-GM seeds. [88007]
§ Margaret Beckett[holding answer 19 December 2002]Since my reply of 7 November, it has become necessary to consider the implications of the settlement reached at the November Agriculture Council for a 0.9 per cent. threshold for GM food and feed labelling and we still await sight of the European Commission's final proposals on seeds on which member states will be asked to vote.
The Government's considerations are informed by the need for policy to be based on sound science and to be practicable and enforceable. We aim to preserve consumer choice by seeking adequate protection for the integrity of non-GM seeds.
738W
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 7 January 2003]A legally binding full and final settlement agreement was made between the Department and Peter Boddy Ltd. on 20 August 2002. No moneys are owed by the Department to Peter Boddy Ltd. and Mr. Houldey. The Department wrote to Peter Boddy Ltd. on 3 December 2002 confirming no further payments would be made and that any question of Mr. Houldey's accounts were and remain a matter between Mr. Houldey and Peter Boddy Ltd.