§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What proposals they have for additional legislation on the intentional release of genetically manipulated organisms.
1055WA
The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (The Earl of Caithness)The Department of the Environment together with the Welsh and Scottish Offices have today published a consultation paper on proposals for additional legislation on the intentional release of genetically manipulated organisms. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
Existing legislation provides comprehensive protection for the safety of persons against such organisms, but does not provide complete coverage for the environment. The aim is to have a parallel system to protect the environment and so ensure an adequate framework against which biotechnology can be properly developed and its full economic potential realised.
We are proposing to augment the existing legislation to provide a comprehensive system for environmental protection with four main elements:
- —a general duty of care to protect the environment on those releasing GMOs;
- —notification to Ministers by those proposing to release GMOs;
- —authorisation by Ministers of proposed releases;
- —appropriate enforcement of the provisions;
Interested organisations and individuals are invited to send their views to the Department of the Environment by 25th August 1989.