§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what independent scientific research on genetically engineered crops the regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom and the EU have access to; and what are the arrangements for licensing such research. [66016]
§ Mr. MealeI have been asked to reply.
497WThe regulatory authorities in the United Kingdom have to access all scientific research papers and articles published in international scientific journals. These are available through abstracting services, departmental libraries and the British Library.
The regulatory authorities also have access to independent research through members of the Government's advisory committees on biotechnology, such as the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) and the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). Members of these committees are leading experts in their own fields and will be aware of the latest scientific research and developments. Regulatory authorities in the EU will have access to similar sources of scientific research results and exchange information at regular meetings of the Competent Authorities.
My Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food fund independent scientific research on genetically modified crops. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Wallesey (Angela Eagle), on 8 June 1998, Official Report, column 313, and the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on 12 November 1998, Official Report, columns 316–18. The EU also funds biotechnology research through the Framework Programmes.
Where the research involves the release of a genetically modified organism to the environment this requires prior approval (licensing) from the Secretary of State or the relevant Competent Authority under Directive 90/220/EC on the deliberate Release of genetically modified organisms to the environment. Research involving the contained use of genetically modified crops must be notified to Health and Safety Executive under provisions in Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and The Genetically Modified Organisms (Risk Assessment) (Records and Exemptions) Regulations 1996, as amended in 1997. The human health and safety aspects of larger GMOs are covered by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992, as amended in 1996.