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Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Answer

Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library the results of the Government-commissioned toxicology tests carried out on Monsanto's genetically modified (a) cotton and (b) corn crops. [68775] Mr. Rooker: [holding answer 2 February 1999]: The Government do not commission research into an individual company's crops but can require additional work to be undertaken by all companies themselves when this is considered to be necessary. All toxicology data submitted for safety evaluation is required to have been produced to Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) standards. Under GLP, all studies must follow written standard procedures and all laboratory records and samples must be archived. All UK GLP certified laboratories are subject to independent inspections by Department of Health inspectors in accordance with EC requirements. Laboratories in the USA are subject to GLP inspections by the US authorities. All data considered by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, except that considered to be commercially sensitive, are published on the DETR Public Register. In addition, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes strongly encourages companies seeking food safety assessment to deposit a copy of their submissions with the British Library.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

68775; 324 c692W

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Crops Genetically modified organisms Research Testing Cotton Maize Monsanto