§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when proposals for a directive concerning the regulations for growing and sale of genetically modified crops were first received by his Department from the European Commission; what observations were made by his Department prior to publication of the draft directive and on what evidence these observations were based; on what dates relevant explanatory memoranda were signed by ministers and placed in the Vote Office; and if he will publish the terms of such memoranda in theOfficial Report. [72178]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 22 February 1999]: The Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms was negotiated in the late 1980s and adopted on 23 April 1990. The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 were made under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, and came into force on 1 February 1993.
The European Commission adopted a Report on the review of Directive 90/220 on 10 December 1996. Following this, the Commission published its proposal for 235W the amendment of Directive 90/220 in February 1998. UK Government officials participated in discussions on the draft proposal, prior to its adoption by the Commission, during meetings of the 90/220 Competent Authorities.
The Competent Authorities for Directive 90/220 submitted written comments on a Commission Working Document in Autumn 1997. These focused on, among other issues, the difficulties in implementing the current directive due to differences between Member States about interpretation and delays by the Commission. These comments were based on experience of operating the directive. The views of interested parties were actively sought throughout this process.
An Orientation Debate was held in the June 1998 Council of Environment Ministers under the British Presidency of the European Union. Negotiations were subsequently held under the Austrian Presidency and the proposal was further considered by Ministers at the December 1998 Environment Council. The German Presidency has not yet indicated its timetable for discussion of the proposal.
Explanatory Memorandum 6378/98 covering the Commission's proposal was submitted by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions on 23 March 1998. EM 6378/98 was considered by the House of Commons European Scrutiny Committee on 29 April 1998. The committee recommended that the document was of political interest and requested further information. The Minister for the Environment responded to the points raised by the Committee in a letter dated 27 November 1997. At their meeting of 9 December 1998, the Committee recommended the proposal for debate in Standing Committee A. The debate has yet to take place, but will be held in good time before any decision is taken in the Council of Ministers.
Mr. Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which parts of (a) the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and (b) the European Directive 90/220 concerning the growing of genetically modified crops for purposes of research are administered by his Department; how many applications he has received for such cultivation and where the locations of such cultivations are publicly listed; what surveillance is undertaken by officers of his Department in respect of such activities; and what tests are applied by them in advising the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and his officials concerning applications to them for cultivation for market sales. [72177]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 22 February 1999]: The release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for research purposes are governed by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992 (amended 1995 and 1997) which give effect to Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Together, these Regulations implement Council Directive 90/220/EEC
on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms",of which Part B refers to deliberate releases for research and development purposes. These regulations are administered by my Department, in consultation with MAFF, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office. This is 236W a matter for which the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies will also be responsible after devolution.Since the regulations came into force on 1 February 1993, 153 consents have been issued for the release of genetically modified crops. Details of these consents, including the locations at which they have been released, are on the statutory public register held in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
All applications received by my Department for the release of genetically modified crops, either for research or for marketing, are copied for comment to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment which advises the Secretary of State on the safety of GMOs in the environment also advises MAFF Ministers.
The Secretary of State has delegated the inspection and enforcement powers provided under Part VI of the Environment Protection Act 1990 to the Health and Safety Commission and Executive. HSE specialist inspectors visit a proportion of release sites to ensure that the releases are being conducted in accordance to the specifications set out in the consent. Full reports of the inspections are sent to DETR.