HC Deb 29 October 2003 vol 412 cc248-9W
Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list National Grid references of trial sites where genetically modified organisms are being released into the environment under directive 2001/18/EC. [134707]

Mr. Morley

There are currently five active consents allowing companies to undertake clinical trials of GM bacteria for the development of vaccines in England. The sites of each release are set out in the following table. There are currently no field trials of genetically modified crops taking place in the UK.

Mr. Morley

Establishments or undertakings which transport waste on a professional basis in England and Wales, are required to be registered with the Environment Agency. Carriers of waste are also subject to the duty of care under section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Both these sets of controls are designed to minimise the risk to the environment and human health.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the Landfill Directive which will come into force in July 2004, with reference to existing potentially toxic landfills awaiting remediation. [134452]

Mr. Morley

Under the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, which implement the technical and regulatory components of the Landfill Directive, all hazardous waste as defined in the regulations will require treatment prior to landfill from 16 July 2004. From that date, co-disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste will be banned, except in certain specific circumstances. The Environment Agency is undertaking a permitting exercise that will bring all currently operating landfill sites, including hazardous waste sites, within the Pollution Protection and Control permit system. This will make the more stringent controls contained in the Landfill Directive a requirement for operating a landfill site in England and Wales.

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