Written question asked by Ian Liddell-Grainger (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 12 December 2005. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 15 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

GM Crops

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions her Department has had on the locations for growing GM maize in England.

Answer: The Department has not had any recent discussions on the locations for growing GM maize in England. No GM maize suitable for UK conditions is currently authorised for cultivation, and we do not anticipate that any GM maize will be grown in England for the next few years.GM maize has been grown in England in the past for research purposes. The last trials were completed in 2002. The locations of the trial sites are available on the DEFRA website:"http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/gm/fse/location/index.htm"We expect to publish a consultation paper on proposals for co-existence in the cultivation of GM and non-GM crops next year.

Secondary information