§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if his Department has considered the recommendation of the royal commission on environmental pollution that the Genhaz system of checks on potential environmental hazards be instituted prior to release of any experimental plants to which genes have been added; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryI have been asked to reply.
The Department of the Environment is grateful for the continuing benefit accruing as a result of initiatives by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. The Genhaz system as expounded in its 14th report is a welcome contribution and is currently undergoing careful examination by officials in the Department. We will be responding to the report in due course.