Written question asked by Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 December 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 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 representations she has received about proposals to test pharmaceutical crops in the UK.

Answer: Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received about proposals to test pharmaceutical crops in the UK. [138806] Mr. Morley: We have received no such representations. Commercial testing of crops for pharmaceutical use is a matter for the industry. The relevant statutory safeguards would need to be complied with, for example in the cultivation of hemp and other similar crops for authorised purposes. There have been no proposals to release GM crops modified for the production of pharmaceutically active components.

Secondary information