Written question asked by Tim Yeo (Conservative) on Wednesday, 20 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 March 2001. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 March 2001 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what commercial activities are prescribed by the voluntary agreement with the GM industry on GM crop trials. - (Holding answer 8 January 2001).

Answer: Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what commercial activities are prescribed by the voluntary agreement with the GM industry on GM crop trials. [144375] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 8 January 2001]: I have been asked to reply. The Government and the industry body SCIMAC made a voluntary agreement in November 1999 on the conduct of the farm-scale evaluations of certain GM crops. Under the terms of this agreement: "There will be no widespread planting leading to general market access of GM crops grown in the UK until the farm-scale evaluations are complete. For the duration of the farm-scale evaluations, no direct commercial benefit will be sought from these plantings by the consent-holders."

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 144375; 365 c259W
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Crops Genetically modified organisms Organic farming Research Testing Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk