§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much the Government spent in 2001–02 on research into(a) organic farming and (b) biotechnology. [137248]
§ Mr. BradshawThe table shows Defra spending in the financial year 2001–02 on research into organic farming and biotechnology.
£ million Organic fanning 2.127 Biotechnology 29.7 Biotechnology is defined as the application of biological organisms, systems and processes to manufacturing and service industries. This definition covers genetic modification (GM) but goes much wider to include fused cell techniques, protein engineering, fermentation and cell culture, production of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (and many other areas) all of which have applications in conventional agriculture.