HC Deb 23 July 1999 vol 335 c708W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many HSE visits to GM farm scale trial sites were unannounced as a proportion of the total number of visits for each year since the trials started; and if he will make a statement. [87863]

Mr. Meale

No unannounced HSE visits have been undertaken. The first GM farm scale trials were planted in the spring of 1999 and are not yet at the stage when appropriate inspection could be undertaken.

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what checks HSE inspectors undertake when they visit GM farm scale trial sites; and if he will make a statement. [87861]

Mr. Meale

Under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1997 (as amended) HSE inspectors review each release site visited in the light of the specific requirements imposed in the relevant consent.

Some of the important areas against which compliances are assessed include: Location of the site against the notified grid references; Isolation of the crop from other specified species and protected habitats; Size and format of the trial; Accuracy and currency of location specific information supplied at approval stage in support of the environmental risk assessment.

All specific consent details are available on the Public Register, held by Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions at Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE.