GM Crops (Hansard, 1 December 1999)

§ Mr. Alan Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the research data he has received to date on the horizontal spread of marker genes and other transgenic DNA via pollen and dust; and what assessment he has made of this research. [100166]

§ Mr. Mullin
There are various reports of research into the possibility of horizontal gene transfer from genetically modified (GM) plants. These are publicly available in the scientific literature. The predominant scientific view is that, although a theoretical possibility, any horizontal transfer of transgenes from GM plants in the field would be an exceedingly rare event, and its success will depend greatly on the selective pressure acting on the outcome.
The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) considers horizontal gene transfer in the environmental risk assessment that is conducted before any GM plants can be released. ACRE does not limit itself to considering horizontal gene transfer only from pollen and dust. ACRE concentrates on the likely consequences of such transfers, not on whether or not it could happen. If horizontal gene transfer from a particular GM plant is judged to be harmful to the environment, then the release would not be allowed.

§ Mr. Alan Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his policy is on using his powers, following the farm-scale evaluations, to revoke consents(a) deliberately to release or (b) to market GM crops. [100002]

§ Mr. Mullin
If the farm-scale evaluations provide evidence that there is an adverse effect on human health or the environment as a result of the management of the herbicide tolerant GM crops, then the Government will act upon this evidence, and, if necessary, use the full extent198W of the powers available to protect human health and the environment, including revoking consents where appropriate.

§ Mr. Alan Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if consent holders will be able to seek direct commercial benefit from the cultivation of GM crops in field-scale and other plantings, other than the farm-scale evaluations. [99905]

§ Mr. Mullin
The renewed agreement with industry on the conduct of the farm-scale evaluations announced on 5 November makes clear that none of the produce from GM crop plantings in the UK will be used in a way which is of direct commercial benefit to the consent holders during the farm-scale evaluation period. Any proposals for field-scale plantings other than those for the farm-scale evaluations must be agreed by the independent Scientific Steering Committee, in the light of their relevance to biodiversity research. Smaller than field-scale plantings, including those necessary for statutory UK and EU requirements, are not covered by the agreement.

§ Mr. Alan Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if commercial benefits may accrue to any affiliated or associated companies of consent holders in relation to commercial growing of GM crops; [99918]
(2) if consent holders will be entitled to seek direct commercial benefit after the farm-scale evaluation period in respect of the cultivation of and the produce from GM crops during the evaluation period; [99906]
(3) if he will list the commercial benefits to which the voluntary agreement announced on 5 November on the commercial growing of GM crops does not apply; [99917]
(4) which persons will be entitled to seek commercial benefit from the growing of GM crops before 2003. [99919]

§ Mr. Mullin
The renewed agreement with industry announced on 5 November covers the conduct of the farm-scale evaluations for the next three years, through until the Scientific Steering Committee's review and recommendations following collection of data from the 2002 crop plantings. The agreement states that no direct commercial benefit will be sought from the plantings or obtained from use of the crops during the farm-scale evaluation period. This is to protect the integrity of the farm-scale evaluations as wholly concerned with biodiversity research. Subsequent use of produce is not covered by the agreement.
Examples of indirect commercial benefits that might accrue to the consent holders from the farm-scale evaluations could include results from the farm-scale evaluations that aided consent holders' other research work, or a change in share price if a crop was perceived to be proceeding satisfactorily through the evaluation process.
In the Government's view, the renewed agreement with industry does extend to affiliated or associated companies of consent holders. Our understanding is that the farmers growing the crops in the farm-scale evaluations are likely to be compensated by the consent holders; that would be a matter for them. If consents allow, farmers may be able to use produce on-farm as animal feed.