In the course of giving evidence to the Committee on 18 July, Baroness Hayman undertook to confirm when MAFF first received representations from the seed industry on the need for regulation concerning the GM content of conventional seeds.

  As Baroness Hayman said in her evidence, the Department knew that there had been representations at a European level by the European seeds industry to the Commission on these issues. Discussions were also taking place within the OECD forum. However, I can confirm on her behalf that the Department can find no record of any direct representation to the UK Government by the seed industry on this issue prior to the Advanta memorandum handed to officials at a meeting with industry representatives on 12 May 2000.

  It may also be helpful to update the Committee on the likely timing of legislation on this issue at EU level. Baroness Hayman met Commissioner Byrne last week when he said it was now possible that the Commission's proposals would not appear until early next year, because of the work needed to progress the long-awaited revision of Directive 90/220 dealing with the deliberate release of GMOs. This would mean a slightly later timetable than the Commission's original one.

  I hope this helps with your inquiry. Please contact me if you require anything further.

25 July 2000