GM/Organic Produce (Hansard, 3 July 2003)

§ Sir Robert Smith
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many letters on the Government's policy on genetically modified food from(a) hon. Members, (b) private individuals and (c) organisations are waiting to be answered by the Department; how many have been waiting for more than 28 days; and if she will make a statement. [109540]
397W

§ Mr. Morley
The Food Standards Agency is responsible for policy on genetically modified food. However, on GM issues for which this Department is responsible, the information is set out in the table as at 2 July 2003:

Total awaiting reply Number awaiting reply for more than 28 days

Member 57 0

Private individuals and organisations 145 4

A large number of letters from organisations and private individuals have been inspired by the recent announcement of the GM Public Debate.

§ Andrew George
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department has spent in each year since 1995 on the promotion of(a) genetically-modified and (b) organic produce. [121654]

§ Mr. Morley
[holding answer 25 June 2003]: No money has been spent by my Department on the promotion of genetically modified produce or on the promotion of organic produce. However, aid has been made available to farmers converting to organic farming (and from 5 June 2003 aid has been made available to existing organic farmers also). The Department also funds a programme of R&D on organic production. And advice for farmers considering organic farming is provided by the Organic Conversion Information Service (OCIS) which is funded by Defra. Spending on these since financial year 1994–95 is detailed in the following table but data for spending on OCIS before financial year 1999–2000 are not readily available.

Financial year Aid to organic farmers (£) R&D (£) OCIS (£)

1994–95 27,000 1,058,000 ¹—

1995–95 261,000 931,000 ¹—

1996–97 374,000 1,116,000 ¹—

1997–98 571,000 908,000 ¹—

1998–99 1,026,000 1,491,000 ¹—

1999–2000 12,469,000 2,035,000 788,000

2000–01 11,397,000 2,207,000 601,000

2001–02 10,910,000 2,193,000 327,000

2002–03 12,567,000 1,791,000 301,000

¹ Not readily available

	Total awaiting reply	Number awaiting reply for more than 28 days
Member	57	0
Private individuals and organisations	145	4

Financial year	Aid to organic farmers (£)	R&D (£)	OCIS (£)
1994–95	27,000	1,058,000	¹—
1995–95	261,000	931,000	¹—
1996–97	374,000	1,116,000	¹—
1997–98	571,000	908,000	¹—
1998–99	1,026,000	1,491,000	¹—
1999–2000	12,469,000	2,035,000	788,000
2000–01	11,397,000	2,207,000	601,000
2001–02	10,910,000	2,193,000	327,000
2002–03	12,567,000	1,791,000	301,000
¹ Not readily available