To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the application for national seed listings submitted to his Department by Plant Genetic Systems, for genetically engineered varieties of oilseed rape, known as Socrates and Archimedes (PHY31 and PHY35), has been stopped. [31088]

No, the applications have not been stopped. However, no decision about whether to place these varieties on the National List will be taken until the appropriate marketing consents have been issued by the French authorities in accordance with Council Directive 90/220/EEC on the release of genetically modified organisms to the environment. In December 1996, Member States voted in favour of this genetically modified oilseed rape being placed on the market and the decision was published in the Official Journal. However, the French Competent Authority, who have responsibility for giving these consents to Plant Genetic Systems, have not yet implemented the decision.