§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential for genetically modified terminator genes in plants to escape into the environment; and if he will make a statement. [88638]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 29 June 1999]: Although 'terminator gene' technology has been patented in the United States of America, it has not been introduced into any crops. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment is to set up a sub-group to advise on best practice in developing genetically modified plants. The sub group's work will include consideration of the environmental impact of 'terminator genes' and similar approaches. The sub group's findings will be published.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he supported the call by the Greek Government at the meeting of the EU Environment Council on 24 June for a temporary ban 237W on new varieties of genetically modified crops and seeds pending the completion of the review of EU Directive 90/220; and if he will make a statement. [88875]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 29 June 1999]: The UK Government did not support the call for suspension of releases pending the completion of the amendment to Directive 90–220 during the Luxembourg Environment Council. The UK and a number of other Member States were sceptical of the legal justification for such a moratorium and considered that rapid and effective revision of the current Directive should be the top priority in the negotiations.
The common position agreed in Luxembourg strengthens the existing Directive in a wide range of areas such as risk assessment and monitoring. Moreover, the safeguard clause will continue to apply, allowing Member States to take immediate action to suspend a release should evidence of harm emerge.
During the Environment Council, the Council Legal Service confirmed that a moratorium suspending application of the existing Directive would not be possible. This position was supported by the Commission. The Council Legal Service outlined some limited scope offered by Article 95 (5) of the Amsterdam Treaty which enabled Member States to derogate from harmonised legislation where specific environmental problems emerge. However, the UK took the view that agreement on strict new provisions for the amendment of Directive 90–220 should take priority over a moratorium of doubtful legality.