§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to make biotechnology companies legally and financially liable for any damage to human health cause by genetically modified crops and foods made from plants manufactured by them. [75199]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 10 March 1999]: There are rigorous procedures in place to assess the risks from foods derived from genetically modified plants before they are allowed into the food chain. This is to ensure that such foods are as safe as their non GM counterparts. On the basis of Common Law principles, a firm holding the marketing consent for a GMO crop can be held liable in law for any damages arising from ill effects attributed to that crop.