§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has made an assessment of the impact on the environment of releases of genetically engineered organisms in other countries.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 15 March 1990]: Information on such releases is available via the European Communities, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations environment programme, and other international fora in which the United Kingdom participates. This information is monitored on a regular basis and has been taken fully into account in developing proposals for the control of the release of genetically modified organisms in this country.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has had in respect of the plans announced in the Environmental Protection Bill to regulate genetically modified organisms.
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§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 15 March 1990]: A wide range of representations were received in response to the consultation paper on the matters which form part VI of the Bill—genetically modified organisms; hon. Members have made various representations in the course of debates on the Bill; and my Department has continued to benefit from the views of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he last discussed the regulation of genetically engineered organisms with his European Community counterparts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Trippier[holding answer 15 March 1990]: My Department has participated fully in discussions on the Council directives on the deliberate release to the environment of genetically modified organisms and the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms, most recently at the Environment Council on 19 September 1989, at which a political agreement was reached on the deliberate release directive.