Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 17 December 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 December 2003 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, what advice her Department has (a) given and (b) received from the Food Standards Agency on a decision regarding the application for use of Bt 11 GM maize in food considered at the EC Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health meeting on 8th December; what discussions her Department has had with the Food Standards Agency regarding the application for use of Bt 11 GM maize in food considered by the EC Standing Committee for Food Chain and Animal Health meeting on 8th December.

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what advice her Department has (a) given and (b) received from the Food Standards Agency on a decision regarding the application for use of Bt 11 GM maize in food considered at the EC Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health meeting on 8 December; [143476] (2) what discussions her Department has had with the Food Standards Agency regarding the application for use of Bt 11 GM maize in food considered by the EC Standing Committee for Food Chain and Animal Health meeting on 8 December. [143477] Mr. Morley: The application for approval to market Bt11 GM maize as food is subject to collective EU decision-making under EU Regulation 258/97 on novel foods and novel foods ingredients. The Food Standards Agency is the UK competent authority for this legislation and carried out an independent assessment. A UK position with respect to the authorisation of Bt11 maize in foods was agreed by relevant Government Departments, and the Agency represented the UK in the EC Standing Committee on 8 December.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 415 c903W; 143476;143477
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Animal feed Licensing EU law Genetically modified organisms Food Standards Agency Maize
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk