§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy to apply the precautionary principle to the release of GMO into the environment. [37518]
§ Mr. MeacherYes. A thorough assessment of the risks to human health and the environment must be carried out before a consent is granted to release a genetically modified organism into the environment. If the assessment reveals areas of uncertainty and if these are associated with significant potential damage, a precautionary approach would be adopted.
This policy is discussed in more detail in "A Guide to Risk Assessment and Risk Management for Environmental Protection" published by the Department in 1995. A copy is in the library.