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GM Crops
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report his Department has completed on the review of separation distances for GM field trials. [151540]
8 Mar 2001 : Column: 346W
Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The only report produced in connection with the separation distance review was that by the National Institute of Agricultural Botany setting out the available scientific evidence. This was deposited in the House Library last August and is available on the Ministry website at www.maff.gov.uk.
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the National Institute of Agricultural Botany report presented to his Department as part of their review on separation distances has been peer-reviewed. [151541]
Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 1 March 2001]: This is being done.
Mr. Yeo: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he will publish the report received from the Canadian authorities on the causes of the Advanta seed contamination last year; and if the Government have used the information in the report to reach conclusions in its review of separation distances. [151542]
Mr. Nick Brown [holding answer 1 March 2001]: The Canadian authorities have yet to publish their report on this matter. When they do, we will consider very carefully any information the report contains of relevance to the separation distances applied here for GM trials.
Farm Inputs
Mr. Dobbin: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking to promote cost-effective utilisation of farm inputs. [151393]
Ms Quin: My right hon. Friend the Minister announced on 23 November the setting up of a Government/industry task force to examine the scope for increasing the effective use of farm inputs and reducing input costs. This is one of several task force initiatives which we have taken in partnership with farming and food interests. The inputs task force published an interim report in late January. Its work is now focused on the issue of market transparency and differences in business practice and regulatory frameworks. The task force expects to report in late March.