Written question asked by Roger Williams (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 19 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 March 2003. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 March 2003 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much foodstuff is available for relief work in Iraq by (a) the UK, (b) the EU, (c) the US and (d) other states, broken down by type; and what proportion of those foodstuffs are derived from genetically modified materials, broken down by type; what (a) recent discussions she has had with and (b) representations she has received from (i) the United States, (ii) the United Nations, (iii) aid charities and (iv) other groups and individuals on the distribution of genetically modified foodstuffs for (A) refugees and (B) displaced persons in Iraq as a consequence of any conflict; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development (1) how much foodstuff is available for relief work in Iraq by (a) the UK, (b) the EU, (c) the US and (d) other states, broken down by type; and what proportion of those foodstuffs are derived from genetically modified materials, broken down by type; [104713] (2) what (a) recent discussions she has had with and (b) representations she has received from (i) the United States, (ii) the United Nations, (iii) aid charities and (iv) other groups and individuals on the distribution of genetically modified foodstuffs for (A) refugees and (B) displaced persons in Iraq as a consequence of any conflict; and if she will make a statement. [104659] Clare Short: The UK, EU, US and others are supporting the humanitarian effort through their partners: UN agencies, the Red Cross movement, NGOs and others. DFID has so far committed £8 million to the World Food. DFID believes that food aid recipients should make their own decisions about acceptance of genetically modified materials.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 402 c243-4W;402 c243W; 104713;104659
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed conflict Development aid Genetically modified organisms International assistance Iraq USA EU aid Iraq conflict Food aid Countries
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk