Written question asked by John Grogan (Labour) on Monday, 22 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 30 March 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 30 March 2004 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, whether parliamentary approval will be required to allow the commercial growing of GM maize.

Answer: Mr. Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether parliamentary approval will be required to allow the commercial growing of GM maize. [163509] Mr. Morley: No. The procedures for assessing individual applications to grow GM crops are set out in EU Directive 2001/18 and in the implementing UK legislation. These were subject to parliamentary scrutiny at the time. The legislation provides for decisions to be taken on individual applications by Government. Final decisions on commercial approvals for GM crops are taken collectively by EU member states. The Government's policy on the commercial growing of GM crops was set out in the statement to Parliament on 9 March.

Secondary information