Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Friday, 12 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2003. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the requirements for a post approval safety monitoring plan specified in the new food and feed regulations for GM foods will be applied to Bt11 sweetcorn.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the requirements for a post approval safety monitoring plan specified in the new food and feed regulations for GM foods will be applied to Bt11 sweetcorn. [144700] Miss Melanie Johnson: Regulation 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed comes into effect on 18 April 2004. This regulation does not impose a requirement for the post marketing monitoring of all genetically modified foods, although monitoring may be required in specific cases based on the outcome of the risk assessment. The authorisation of Bt11 sweetcorn is currently being considered under the novel food legislation (regulation 258/97) and does not include a requirement for post-market monitoring.

Secondary information