Written question asked by Peter Ainsworth (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 April 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 September 2002. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Thursday, 19 September 2002 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, if the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment was in possession of relevant data when assessing T25 maize under the genetically modified foods approval procedure; and if she will make a statement. - Inc ref to DIR 90/220/EEC. (Holding answer 7 May 2002).

Answer: Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment was in possession of relevant data when assessing T25 maize under the genetically modified foods approval procedure; and if she will make a statement. [54344] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 7 May 2002]: The application to market T25 maize was submitted to the French competent authority under Directive 90/220/EEC in 1995. Having assessed the application and being content that all relevant data was available, the French competent authority forwarded the application to other Member States via the Commission with a favourable opinion. ACRE considered the dossier on T25 maize in June 1996 and gave their advice. Subsequently, and following a favourable opinion from the European Commission Scientific Committee on Plants, the application was approved and consent issued by the French on behalf of the EU in August 1998. In the light of the seed listing hearing on Chardon LL, and following an open meeting of ACRE that considered issues raised during the hearing, ACRE are in the process of drafting further advice concerning T25 maize. This advice will be completed and published during the summer.

Secondary information