Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 March 2009. It was answered by Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 March 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's policy on the growing of genetically modified maize is.

Answer: Our general policy is that genetically modified (GM) crops should only be grown if the evidence shows that they will not have any adverse effect on human health and the environment. We therefore support the existing European Union (EU) controls which provide for a robust case-by-case safety assessment.Only one type of GM maize seed is currently being marketed for cultivation in the EU. It is designed to be resistant to an insect pest that we do not have in the UK, and the GM trait has been bred into maize varieties that are not suitable for UK growing conditions. The GM seed is therefore not being sold here.

Secondary information