§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when her Department plans to(a) commence and (b) report on the proposed consultation on co-existence and liability of GM crops. [179979]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 22 June 2004]: We are currently preparing our consultation package on the issue of the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops in discussion with the authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and this will be issued as soon as possible. A consultation period of three months is envisaged, following which we will decide on the next steps. No GM crops currently have the necessary approvals for cultivation in the UK and we do not anticipate any move towards commercial cultivation of GM crops here before 2006 at the earliest.