Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 July 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 October 2001. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Monday, 15 October 2001 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the public inquiry will be reconvened into the proposed inclusion of Chardon LL genetically modified fodder maize on to the National Seed List.

Answer: Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the public inquiry will be reconvened into the proposed inclusion of Chardon LL genetically modified fodder maize on to the National Seed List. [5662] Mr. Meacher: The Hearing into the proposed addition of Chardon LL to the United Kingdom National List was adjourned in November 2000 when we learned that French testing system used to produce the Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability report did not appear to be fully compliant with the requirements of Directive 72/180/EEC. Despite a number of letter, we have yet to receive a substantive response from the Commission to our inquiries on the status of the French testing system. However, I understand that the French Authorities have re-sown Chardon LL in official tests this year and that a new test report will be submitted to my officials this autumn. In addition, the Commission has indicated that it proposes to update the provisions of the 1972 Directive to reflect best current scientific practice. If we receive appropriate assurances from the Commission before the end of the year, we would hope to reconvene the Hearing early in 2002.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5662; 372 c1064-5W;372 c1065W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Crops Licensing Genetically modified organisms Public inquiries Seeds Maize
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk