Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 February 1997. It was answered by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 February 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: What assessment his Department has made of the potential dangers of allowing unprocessed genetically engineered maize to enter the United Kingdom.

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the potential dangers of allowing unprocessed genetically engineered maize to enter the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [14486] Mrs. Browning: The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes advised that the use of processed genetically modified maize was safe, although there was a small but finite risk associated with the use of Ciba Geigy's GM maize in an unprocessed form. The ACNFP's concerns were examined in detail by three EC scientific committees, which concluded that the risk was too small to justify banning imports into the Community. There are therefore no grounds on which the Government can legally object to the use of this material.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 14486; 289 c720W;289 c719-20W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Genetic engineering Food Imports Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes Maize