§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been made for advice to be obtained on proposals to release genetically modified organisms to the environment.
§ Mr. TrippierAt present, advice is obtained from a sub-committee of the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on genetic manipulation and from my Department's interim advisory committee on introductions.
I have agreed, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Commission, that these two committees will be replaced by a single committee to give advice on all aspects of the safety of proposed releases to the environment of genetically modified, and other novel organisms. I announced during Second Reading of the Environmental Protection Bill on 15 January, Official Report, column 42 that Professor John Beringer of Bristol university has agreed to be chairman of a new committee to advise on release in relation to the new legislation. I anticipate that the new committee, whose establishment I am announcing today, will evolve in due course into the committee to advise on the new legislation.
The full terms of reference of the committee will be to advise the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, Secretaries of State, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and other bodies as appropriate, on all aspects of the human and environmental health and safety of the introduction into the United Kingdom environment of genetically modified and other novel organisms; and in particular to advise on proposals for specific introductions, on research needs, and on proposed regulations and written guidance.
I am pleased to announce that members of the committee will include people from a wide range of 345W backgrounds, including different scientific disciplines,both sides of industry, local authorities, farmers and environmental experts.
Name Expertise Organisation Prof. J. E. Beringer(Chairman) Microbial ecologist and geneticist University of Bristol Sir Kenneth Blaxter, FRS Applied biologist and agronomist Former Director, Rowett Research Institute Prof. M. P. Hassel, FRS Population biologist Imperial College Prof. D. Onions Veterinary biologist University of Glasgow Prof. M. Williamson Biologist and ecologist University of York Prof. A. Atkinson Microbiologist Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down Prof. D. Jeffries Human virologist/medic St. Bartholomew's Hospital Dr. D. R. Langslow Biologist and ecologist Chief Scientist, Nature Conservancy Council Dr. D. Robinson Plant virologist Scottish Crops Research Institute Dr. C. Gliddon Plant population geneticist University of Bangor, North Wales Dr. A. Watkinson Plant ecologist University of East Anglia Dr. M. Elliott Freshwater biologist Institute of Freshwater Ecology Mr. J. E. Moffitt Cattle breeding and arable farmer Stockswell, Northumberland Prof. N. J. Poole Microbiologist ICI Seeds Dr. P. G. Boseley Molecular biologist Director of Research and Development, Agriculture Genetics Co. Ltd., Cambridge Dr. G. M. Schofield Microbiologist Project Leader, Expert Systems, Unilever Dr. J. Kinderlerer Biochemist University of Sheffield Ms. J. Hill Environmentalist Green Alliance Ms. D. Haber Health and safety Manufacturing Science and Finance Union Mr. P. Hurst Health and safety Transport and General Workers Union Mr. C. F. Franks Borough Environmental Health Officer Brighton One other member, an agricultural scientist, is still to be appointed.