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Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the maximum number of fields and the maximum field size that will be permitted in the farm scale trials of genetically modified oil seed rape, maize and sugar beet; and which body will determine these numbers and sizes. [91415] Mr. Meale: The farm scale evaluations of the impact of the management of genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant oilseed rape and maize on farmland are being guided by an independent scientific steering committee. The steering committee will determine the number of fields necessary to ensure the statistical validity of the study. Preliminary analysis has indicated that 20 paired comparisons of each crop in each year will be sufficient, although more detailed analysis of the appropriate sample size was called for by the steering committee and it may be necessary to revise the number in the light of this. In the current research programme, the intention is to carry out ecological studies in a realistic cropping scenario, that is within fields of a size representative of UK agricultural practices. A size of about 10 ha was chosen; in the case of maize, many fields are likely to be smaller--about 6-7 ha and, in the case of oilseed rape, fields may be larger than 10 ha. Sugar beet is not being grown as part of the programme this year.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

91415; 335 c590-1W;335 c592-3W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Crops Genetically modified organisms Farms Pilot schemes Maize Sugar beet Oilseed rape