Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Thursday, 11 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 March 2004. It was answered by Elliot Morley (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 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, what assessment she has made of the preliminary results of research carried out by Professor Terje Traavik of the Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology on the health implications of GM maize crops for those living close to the crops. - (Holding answer 16 March 2004).

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the preliminary results of research carried out by Professor Terje Traavik of the Norwegian Institute of Gene Ecology on the health implications of GM maize crops for those living close to the crops. [161724] Mr. Morley :[holding answer 16 March 2004]: We understand that at a recent meeting in Malaysia, Professor Terje Traavik reported that farm workers from the island of Mindanao in the Phillipines had an immune reaction to genetically modified Bt maize (event MON 810). No scientific evidence has yet been published by the Norwegian research team on the health implications of Bt maize crops for those living close to such crops and Professor Traavik is quoted as stressing that more tests are needed before any definite conclusion can be drawn. Bt maize is not grown in the UK. If Professor Traavik's work is published we will consider whether there are any implications for the UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 419 c699-700W;419 c701-2W; 161724
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Crops Health hazards Genetically modified organisms Malaysia Norway Safety Research Maize
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk