§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what control the GM Debate Steering Board will have over the Food Standards Agency's GM public debate; [100866]
(2) how the Food Standards Agency's GM public debate will contribute to the Government's GM public debate. [100862]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Food Standards Agency is organising a number of activities as a contribution to the wider GM Public Dialogue announced by the Secretary of State last July. The Agency is an independent body and has taken this action on its own initiative in coordination with the GM dialogue. The Agency will continue to update the Public Debate Steering Board on its activities and provide it with a copy of its findings, which will feed into the wider GM Public Debate.