Written question asked by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 29 January 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 February 2003. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 February 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 measures she is taking to halt the approval process for GM rape and maize before the European Commission set out in the European Union Directive of 17th October 2002. - (Holding answer 4 February 2003).

Answer: Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to halt the approval process for GM rape and maize before the European Commission set out in the European Union Directive of 17 October 2002. [94916] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 4 February 2003]: The Government are not taking any measures to halt the decision making process for these applications to import and market GM grain in the European Union. We believe decisions on these applications should be taken based on scientific evidence and existing legal obligations laid down in Directive 2001/18 on the release of GMOs to the environment.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 94916; 399 c281W
Session: 2002-03
EC documents: Dir2001/18/EC
Subjects: Crops Environment protection EU law Genetically modified organisms EU external trade Maize Oilseed rape
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk