HC Deb 30 January 2004 vol 417 cc546-7W
Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government's response to the farm scale evaluations of GM crops will be published. [151642]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 29 January 2004]: The Government have received, advice from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) on the implications of the farm scale evaluation results. We are consulting with the devolved Administrations before deciding whether to accept ACRE'S advice.

The Government are now considering their overall policy on GM crops in the light of all the available information, including ACRE'S advice. We are aiming to set out our conclusions shortly.

Mrs. Spelman

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has for further scientific tests of GM crops following the farm scale evaluations. [151643]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 29 January 2004]: The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) will advise on a case-by-case basis for each individual GM crop whether we have enough scientific evidence to enable us to make decisions. If further evidence is needed then we would expect the applicants to provide it. We are currently considering priorities for further publicly funded research in light of science review report.