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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which of the GM farm scale trials of maize, oil seed rape and beet planted between Autumn 2001 and Spring 2002 (a) ran until harvest and (b) were terminated; and what the reasons for termination were in each...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 November 2002

Reference

79739; 392 c582W;392 c594W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what is her Department's position on acceptable thresholds for the adventitious presence of genetically modified organisms in seed batches of (a) oil seed rape, (b) tomatoes, (c) beet, (d) cotton, (e) chicory, (f) maize, (g) potatoes and (h)...

Asked by

Peter Ainsworth (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 November 2002

Reference

392 c549W;392 c561-2W; 75244

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what opinions the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has received from the Advisory Committee on Feedingstuffs (ACAF) on the dossier of evidence presented by Aventis in support of its application for marketing consent for the T25...

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

16 July 2001

For answer on

6 November 2002

Answered on

6 November 2002

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what opinions the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has received from the Advisory Committee on Feedingstuffs (ACAF) on the dossier of evidence presented by Aventis in support of its application for marketing consent for T25 GM maize, with particular reference to their opinion on the chicken feeding study; and if she will place a copy of ACAF's opinion in respect of (a) the whole dossier and (b) the chicken feeding study in the Library. [4932] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 19 July 2002]: At the request of the department, The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) has, since November 2000, been considering the criticisms of the safety of Aventis' (formerly AgrEvo and now Bayer Cropscience) GM maize, T25, which has been raised at the hearing into the addition of CHARDON LL (a variety of T25) to the national list of seeds. ACRE subsequently requested advice from ACAF on the animal feed aspects of the criticisms. AgrEvo applied in 1995 through the French authorities for approval under EU directive 90/220 to place its GM T25 maize on the European market for cultivation and use as animal feed. In June 1995 France circulated the dossier to the other member states with the recommendation that T25 maize be given approval. After due consideration European Union member states approved the marketing of T25 maize in 1998. As part of this process ACRE considered the French opinion and dossier supporting the application and gave its advice to the government in June 1996. This was prior to the formation of ACAF. The chicken feeding study was not part of the original dossier submitted in 1996 and so was not considered by ACRE. A summary of the study was circulated by the French in 1997 as supplementary information on the nutritional qualities of the maize. The French authorities were of the view that the study did not add any significant new information to the dossier. Officials in MAFF considered the study, but as it was a nutritional rather than a safety study, it was not sent to ACRE. In reconsidering aspects of the T25 maize dossier ACRE has asked ACAF to look at the available data and advise on the substance of the criticisms raised at the CHARDONLL hearing in relation to animal feed and in particular the mortality rate in the chicken study. The growth rates in the two groups were broadly equivalent, but of the 140 fed T25 maize grain, 10 chicks (7 per cent.) died, whereas only 5 of the 140 (3.5 per cent.) died in the control group. In this type of experiment up to 8 per cent. would be expected to die. So the mortality rate is within the expected range. The question raised in the CHARDONLL is whether this is of concern and worthy of further investigation. A copy of the letter of 5 September 2001 from ACAF to ACRE setting out the committee's views on the whole dossier and the chicken feeding study has been placed in the Library. A copy is also on the public register held by my Department in Ashdown House In summary, ACAF is satisfied that, on the basis of the information presented by AgroEvo, there is nothing to indicate that T25 maize grain or its products pose any more risk to animals or humans than non-GM maize varieties if used in animal feed. I have asked ACAF for their reasons for this conclusion. However, ACAF advised ACRE that the data in the dossier are not sufficient to conclude at this stage, that T25 silage (rather than grain) is substantially equivalent to other maize varieties. Although it is unlikely that T25 maize silage is unsafe to feed to animals, its equivalence should be confirmed. The UK regulatory authority has subsequently written to Aventis to request further data on the composition of T25 silage. ACRE has given preliminary advice that nothing has been raised that warrants taking immediate action under the directive to withdraw T25 maize from the market. ACRE will shortly be issuing its advice on concerns raised during the CHARDON LL hearing, including criticisms of the chicken feeding study. This advice will also include ACRE's response to points raised at its T25 maize open hearing held in February 2002. At their hearing the Committee, in conjunction with ACAF, invited a number of witnesses and experts including Dr. Kestin and Dr. Knowles. Guided by the evidence taken at this meeting, any subsequent comments on the evidence from the public and the background information that is already available, ACRE will advise Ministers further on the validity of the T25 risk assessment.

Date

6 November 2002

Reference

4932; 392 c356-8W;392 c375-7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment was in possession of relevant data when assessing T25 maize under the genetically modified foods approval procedure; and if she will make a statement. - Inc ref to DIR...

Asked by

Peter Ainsworth (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

19 September 2002

Reference

54344; 390 c239-40W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much of the money allocated by the Government for the procurement of maize meal in Lesotho has been spent; and if she will make a statement. - Includes figures.

Asked by

John Barrett (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 July 2002

Reference

70873; 389 c717W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what separation distances she recommends should be imposed between GM and non-GM or organic crops of (a) sugar or fodder beet, (b) maize and (c) oilseed rape, to avoid contamination of the non-GM or organic crop above 0.01...

Asked by

Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 March 2002

For answer on

22 July 2002

Answered on

22 July 2002

Mr. Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what separation distances she recommends should be imposed between GM and non-GM or organic crops of (a) sugar or fodder beet, (b) maize and (c) oilseed rape, to avoid contamination of the non-GM or organic crop above 0.01 per cent. [46621] Mr. Meacher: There are insufficient data to determine separation distances between crops that would achieve a cross-pollination threshold of 0.01 per cent. Furthermore, 0.01 per cent. is below the level at which an incidental GM presence can reliably be quantified with current analytical methods. In 2000 the National Institute or Agricultural Botany (NIAB) reported on the separation distances required to ensure that cross-pollination is below specified limits. These distances for oilseed rape and maize are shown in Table 1. NIAB did not recommend a distance for beet crops because beet is biennial and generally does not flower in the year of harvest, and any "bolters" can and should be removed before flowering. In addition, incoming pollen would not affect the vegetative parts of the plant (beet root and foliage). In 2001 the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment augmented the NIAB advice in respect of maize (Table 2). The NIAB study took account of work undertaken for the Soil Association by the National Pollen Research Unit (NPRU) which recommended separation distances to achieve an incidental GM presence which was not quantified but described as "very low risk". These distances are shown in Table 3. The NIAB study also reviewed work from a variety of researchers, such as Jones and Brooks-- "Effectiveness of distance and border rows in preventing outcrossing in corn"; Oklahoma Agricultural Experimental Station, Technical Bulletin No. T-38, 1950. Table 1: Summary of separation distances (m) required to maintain cross-pollination of the whole fields at below specified levels for fields of 2ha or more metres _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Threshold levels of cross-pollination Crop 1% 0.5% 0.1% Oilseed rape (B. napus and rapa) Conventional varieties and 1.5 10 100 restored hybrids Varietal associations and 100 {1}-- {1}-- partially restored hybrids Maize/sweetcorn For grain 200 300 {1}-- For silage 130 200 420 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Insufficient information to produce a recommendation (see report for more detail). Source: NIAB report "Review of the use of separation distances between genetically modified and other crops", August 2000. Table 2: Summary of ACRE's advice on cross-pollination in relation to Farm Scale Evaluations of Genetically Modified Maize, 1 May 2001 metres _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Separation distances from GM maize{ 1} Neighbouring crop Adventitious GM presence in the grain or silage (upper limit) (organic and non-organic) 1% 0.5% 0.1% Maize grown for grain (sweetcorn, 130 200 420 seed crops) Maize grown for silage (forage 80 130 290 maize) _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} The table refers to varieties of GM maize, such as that used in the farm scale evaluations, which are heterozygous for the GM trait. For any homozygous varieties the amount of GM presence will be approximately double the above figures at the same separation distances. NPRU's recommended "very low risk distances", January 2000 metres _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Crop Very low risk distance Maize 3,000 Sugar beet {1}1,000 Oil seed rape 6,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} 3,000 metres were recommended between GM beet and organic seed production.

Date

22 July 2002

Reference

389 c700-2W; 46621

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, which non-governmental organisations the Government is assisting to help small scale farmers revive maize production in Zimbabwe; and if she will make a statement on these projects; which non-governmental organisations the Government is assisting to help poor farmers in the communal...

Asked by

Bill Wiggin (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

19 July 2002

Reference

389 c586W; 70889;70894

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the barriers preventing the transportation of the surplus in cereal production in northern Mozambique to areas of the country facing food shortages; what steps her Department is taking to overcome these barriers; and if she...

Asked by

John Barrett (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

19 July 2002

Reference

70872; 389 c587W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will list the external organisations set up by her as part of the Government's strategy to combat climate change, indicating (a) their remits and (b) their sources of funding. - Inc ref to 22 April 2002,...

Asked by

Lord Stunell (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 May 2002

Reference

50446; 386 c6-7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will place in the Library scientific advice received from the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment on Field Crop Trials and Other Research for T-25 and Other Genetically Modified Maize. (Advice in Library Dep 02/1091)....

Asked by

Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

20 May 2002

Reference

53814; 386 c7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total area of genetically modified crops to be grown in the farm scale evaluations in England in 2002 is; and how many trials there are for (a) spring oilseed rape, (b) winter oilseed rape, (c) fodder...

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

13 May 2002

Reference

54477; 385 c417W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the grid references are of locations in which T-25 genetically modified maize (a) has been and (b) is the subject of field crop trials; and if she will make a statement. - Inc list and ref to...

Asked by

Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 May 2002

Reference

53815; 385 c55-7W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who was responsible for the crop management of the farm scale evaluation at Sunnymead Farm, Wivenhoe in 2000; when the GM maize, planted at Sunnymead Farm, was sprayed with herbicide; and when the crop was sprayed with glufosinate...

Asked by

Ivan Henderson (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

15 April 2002

For answer on

25 April 2002

Answered on

25 April 2002

Mr. Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who was responsible for the crop management of the Farm Scale Evaluation at Sunnymead Farm, Wivenhoe in 2000; when the GM maize, planted at Sunnymead Farm, was sprayed with herbicide; and when the crop was sprayed with glufosinate ammonium. [50920] Mr. Meacher: Management of the crops in the Farm Scale Evaluations is undertaken by the farmer hosting each individual trial, with SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) providing advice in relation to the GM crops. As herbicide use is the key factor in the research, this aspect of the crop management is covered by the following protocol: Protocol on herbicide use for the Farm Scale Evaluations 1. SCIMAC (Supply Chain Initiative on Modified Agricultural Crops) will not offer advice to farmers on management of the non-GM part of experimental fields. This will be carried out by the farmer's own adviser and recorded in detail, as is required under pesticide usage regulations. 2. SCIMAC will provide advice through an agronomist to farmers about herbicide and related management for the GM herbicide-tolerant crops. The agronomist will make a recommendation about the application rate and timing of the herbicide to provide cost-effective weed control. SCIMAC will provide draft detailed herbicide application information in addition to the label on the herbicide container, and provide the necessary amount of the herbicide to the farmers. 3. Farmers will provide their rationale for recommended herbicide usage in the non-GM part of each study field. SCIMAC's agronomist will provide their rationale for recommended herbicide usage in the GM part of each study field. Farmers will provide a report of actual herbicide use in both the GM and non-GM parts of each study field. All this information will be submitted to the independent research consortium carrying out the FSE study, thereby allowing a comparison of the agronomist's advice with actual herbicide usage and thus substantiating whether or not cost-effective weed control has been met. The independent Scientific Steering Committee overseeing the FSE programme has approved this protocol as being appropriate for cost-effective weed control. The independent team carry out the FSE research audit as to whether cost-effective weed control has been practised by analysing herbicide application records, the weed burden at each trial site and records of crop yield. My Department does not have this management data, but it is planned to make relevant details publicly available at the end of the FSE programme when the research results are published. I can confirm that glufosinate ammonium is the only herbicide being used on the GM maize in the FSE trials.

Date

25 April 2002

Reference

50920; 384 c384-5W;384 c382-3W

House

House of Commons

Whitty, Lord

What is the definition of the maize crop which is part of the genetically modified farm scale trial; whether this is different from the so-called Bt Maize; and why the latter is not part of those farm scale trials. [HL 3612].

Asked by

Baroness Byford (Conservative)

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

22 April 2002

Reference

HL 3612; 634 c12-3WA

House

House of Lords

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the European Commission to respond to the action taken by the National Assembly of Wales under the safeguard clause of the EU Deliberate Release Directive in respect of GM maize being grown in the United...

Asked by

Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

12 April 2002

Reference

46639; 383 c652W;383 c650W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, which EU member states have been notified of the action taken by the National Assembly for Wales under the safeguard clause of the EU Deliberate Release Directive in respect of GM maize being grown in the UK; and...

Asked by

Lord Barker of Battle (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

12 April 2002

Reference

46640; 383 c652W;383 c650W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what further information has been obtained from the European Commission following the suspension of the public hearings on Aventi's T25 genetically modified maize; what evidence and clarification has been obtained from the French competent authorities; if she will...

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

6 February 2002

For answer on

5 March 2002

Answered on

5 March 2002

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what further information has been obtained from the European Commission following the suspension of the public hearings on Aventis T25 genetically modified maize; what evidence and clarification has been obtained from the French competent authorities; if she will (a) make this information publicly available and (b) place it in the Library; and when the hearings will be reconvened. [34938] Mr. Meacher: The European Commission has not responded substantively to letters from DEFRA Ministers and officials on the French maize variety testing system. However, the Commission has proposed amendments to Directive 72/180/EEC determining the minimum characteristics and conditions for examining the distinctness, uniformity and stability (DUS) of maize and some other species. These amendments, which bring the Directive into line with current best scientific practice, came into force on 14 February 2002 for implementation in member states no later than 31 March 2002. The French testing authorities carried out a further year of official tests on the genetically modified maize variety Chardon LL in 2001 and provided a test report to the UK authorities in November 2001 based on the required two years of official DUS tests. The French authorities have confirmed that the tests were conducted according to the new Directive requirements. A copy of the French DUS report on Chardon LL will be placed in the Library. Ministers have agreed in principle that if all of the legal and technical requirements have been met, the Chardon hearing may resume in spring 2002. The parties to the hearing will be informed when a decision has been taken.

Date

5 March 2002

Reference

34938; 381 c210W

House

House of Commons

Dept for International Development

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment she has made of the supply of staple foodstuffs in Zimbabwe in each year since 1990. - Includes table.

Asked by

Andrew Turner (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for International Development

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

5 February 2002

For answer on

12 February 2002

Answered on

12 February 2002

Mr. Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the supply of staple foodstuffs in Zimbabwe in each year since 1990. [34526] Hilary Benn: Maize is the staple foodstuff of Zimbabwe. DFID monitors crop forecasts through the SADC Famine Early Warning System, which also gives historical production data as follows: Maize production _________________________________________________________________________________________________. (thousand metric tonnes) 1991 1,586 1992 361 1993 2,012 1994 2,326 1995 840 1996 2,609 1997 2,192 1998 1,418 1999 1,520 2000 2,040 2001 1,476 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Zimbabwe experienced very lean years in 1992 and 1995 when the rains failed. Maize production in these years was far short of the national requirement of around 2 million tonnes needed for human and animal consumption. The shortfall in national production in 2001, which was only 1.47 million tonnes, owes more to economic problems and disruption of farming than to climatic causes.

Date

12 February 2002

Reference

34526; 380 c345-6W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what proportion of the UK's fodder maize is grown in (a) England and (b) each region. - Inc table. (Holding answer 1 February 2002).

Asked by

Joan Ruddock (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

29 January 2002

For answer on

5 February 2002

Answered on

5 February 2002

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of the UK's fodder maize is grown in (a) England and (b) each region. [32302] Mr. Morley: [holding answer 1 February 2002]: Estimates from the June 2001 Agriculture and Horticulture census indicate that England accounts for 93 per cent. of the maize area in the UK. Virtually all of the maize area is used for fodder. Information by UK country and English regions are provided in the table. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Area of maize 2000 2001 UK area (hectares){1} 104,090 129,208 Percentage of UK: England{1} 93.8 92.5 Wales{1} 6.1 6.4 Scotland{1} 0 0 Northern Ireland{1} 0.1 1.1 England (hectares){2} 97,634 119,557 Percentage of England: North-east 0.2 n/a North-west 8.4 n/a Yorks and Humber 2 n/a East midlands 7 n/a West midlands 13.4 n/a Eastern 6.4 n/a South-east 18.7 n/a South-west 43.9 n/a _________________________________________________________________________________________________. n/a = not yet available {1} Includes an adjustment in respect of minor holdings. {2} These data refer to main holdings only, ie minor holdings excluded.

Date

5 February 2002

Reference

32302; 379 c903W;379 c899W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will hold an open public investigation into the health implications of the currently approved trials of Aventis T25 maize.

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

17 July 2001

For answer on

29 October 2001

Answered on

29 October 2001

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will hold an open public investigation into the health implications of the currently approved trials of Aventis T25 maize. [5652] Mr. Meacher: I have been asked to reply. I am confident that the current approved trials of Aventis T25 maize do not pose a risk to health and in any case none of the GM crop in the trials will enter the food or feed chain. The implications of health of Aventis genetically modified maize known as T25 were assessed during the passage of the marketing dossier through the European GMO regulatory regime. T25 maize was granted regulatory approval under Directive 90/220 for unrestricted cultivation throughout the European Union in 1998 through the French authorities. The dossier, including the assessment of risks to health, is on the public register held by my Department and is available for scrutiny. However concerns about the safety of T25 maize for animal feed have been raised and need to be addressed. These concerns have been presented in public as part of the DEFRA public hearing into the seed listing of the variety of T25 known as ChardonLL. This hearing is currently suspended pending further information from the European Commission and the French competent authorities. However, the Government have referred all the written evidence presented to the hearing relating to the safety of T25 to the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment for advice. ACRE has sought further advice on the animal feed issues from the Advisory Committee on Animal Feed. ACRE expects to finalise its advice to Government before the end of the year. As part of this re-evaluation we intend to hold an additional open debate involving both Aventis and its critics, where ACRE can question the strength of the scientific evidence from both sides. The safety of T25 maize for use in food is regulated by the European novel food regulations and is a matter for the Food Standards Agency.

Date

29 October 2001

Reference

5652; 373 c552-3W

House

House of Commons

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