The Earl of Haddingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken or are considering to ban or control genetically engineered plants that produce protease inhibitors which have been found to cause 148WA intestinal problems in the honey bee; and what assurances they can give that this problem will not manifest itself in mammals which have ingested such feed products.
§ Baroness HaymanUnder current legislation, all releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) require prior consent by the Secretary of State. Applicants are required to submit an assessment of all the potential risks to human health and the environment, including effects on non-target species such as other insects and mammals. In reaching a decision, the Secretary of State takes the advice of independent experts in the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. If proposed releases of GMOs are considered to pose a risk to human health or the environment, a consent would not be granted.
The Government are aware of the recently reported effects of genetically modified plants producing protease inhibitors on non-target insect species. My department was already funding research to investigate, under carefully controlled conditions, the potential risks of these GMOs to the environment. This work continues but it is too early to draw any conclusions.
To date, no applications to market plants genetically modified to produce protease inhibitors which will enter the food chain have been forwarded for consideration by European Community member states.