Written question asked by Caroline Lucas (Green Party) on Friday, 20 January 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 25 January 2017 (named day). It was answered by George Eustice (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 January 2017 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Maize: Genetically Modified Organisms

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the Government's policy is on the authorisation for the placing on the market for cultivation of genetically modified maize which is scheduled for a decision on 27 January 2017 at the European Commission under Directive 2001/18/EC; what account she has taken in formulating that policy of representations from the devolved administrations; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Government takes a science-based approach on the authorisation of genetically modified (GM) products, and is consulting the devolved administrations (DA) on the proposed approval of three types of GM maize to be considered at an EU meeting on 27 January. An EU decision permitting the cultivation of these crops will not apply in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland because the DAs have an agreed exemption. Nor would the crops be expected to be grown in England, because they are designed to control insect pests that are not a problem for farmers in the UK.

Secondary information