Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 26 November 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 December 2003. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Thursday, 4 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 assessment she has made of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission report on issues of liability and coexistence in respect of GM crops; what assessment she has made of the possible financial consequences to public funds of setting up a Government liability scheme to protect farmers and growers from the unintended consequences of growing GM crops as set out in the report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission into liability and coexistence.

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what assessment she has made of the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission report on issues of liability and coexistence in respect of GM crops; [140846] (2) what assessment she has made of the possible financial consequences to public funds of setting up a Government liability scheme to protect farmers and growers from the unintended consequences of growing GM crops as set out in the report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission into liability and coexistence. [140845] Mr. Morley: The report by the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission was published on 25 November. We are now assessing this and will give our considered response in due course.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 415 c145W; 140846;140845
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Compensation Crops Contamination Liability Genetically modified organisms Farmers Protection Public finance
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk