Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 8 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 15 June 1999. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 June 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he has taken to ensure that imported foods which contain genetically-modified soya have been subject to safety tests equivalent to those which would apply to such foods originating in the United Kingdom.

Answer: Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he has taken to ensure that imported foods which contain genetically modified soya have been subject to safety tests equivalent to those which would apply to such foods originating in the United Kingdom. [86748] Mr. Rooker: Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) soya, modified to be tolerant to the herbicide glyphosate, was assessed and cleared for safety by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes in February 1994. It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that foods containing only approved GM soya are imported and sold in the United Kingdom.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 333 c124W; 86748
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Genetically modified organisms Food Imports Safety Testing Soya beans