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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will outline the approval process for the inclusion of a genetically modified seed variety on the national seed list; and at what stage in this process Chardon LL is. [139639] Mr. Nick Brown: [holding answer 21 November 2000]: Applications for the addition of plant varieties to the National List are considered in accordance with the requirements of the Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982 (as amended). For the main agricultural and vegetable species, a variety must be distinct, uniform and stable. Most agricultural varieties must also be of satisfactory value for cultivation and use in the UK. Where material derived from a plant variety is intended to be used as a food or food ingredient which falls within the scope of Regulation No. 258/97/EEC concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients, this must have been authorised under the novel food regulation. For a genetically modified plant variety Ministers also require that a marketing consent has been promulgated under Directive 90/220/EC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms into the environment. A proposal to add or refuse a variety for the National List is published in the Plant Varieties and Seeds Gazette. Any person affected may make written representations and/or ask to make oral representations before a person appointed by Ministers. A decision by Ministers is not taken until they have considered these representations. An appeal against any decision of the Ministers would be heard by the Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal. Chardon LL was proposed for addition to the National List in March 2000. A number of affected persons made written representations and/or asked to make oral representations. A Hearing began on 2 October and was adjourned on 15 November until further notice pending resolution of concerns about the DUS system used in France. Meanwhile, MAFF has sought the views of the European Commission on the legal status of the French authorities DUS testing procedures. Chardon LL will only be added to the UK National List if all the legal requirements have been made in full.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

357 c574-5W; 139639

Session

1999-00

EC documents

Dir90/220/EEC

Subjects

Appeals Crops Licensing Genetically modified organisms France Plants Seeds Maize Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal

Legislation

Seeds (National Lists of Varieties) Regulations 1982

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk