HC Deb 15 May 2003 vol 405 c346W
17. Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the consultation process for GM crops. [113316]

Mr. Meacher

The consultation process on applications for approval to market GM crops in the European Union is carried out by the European Commission under Directive 2001/18. There are periods of public consultation on the initial application and on the assessment by the member state handling the application. Anyone can submit comments, which are circulated to all member states to inform their own scrutiny.