§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the scientific advice that they have received, in the light of which the Ministry of Agriculture has given approval for a genetically engineered yeast to be used, has been subject to "peer group review" in the scientific literature.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington): The government decision to clear a genetically modified baker's yeast for use in food was based on advice from the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). The ACNFP in turn took advice from the Advisory Committee on Genetic Manipulation and its Intentional Introductions Sub-Committee. The unpublished evidence on which the committees based its advice is being deposited in the British Library. The text of the ACNFP advice to agriculture and health Ministers has been circulated to a large number of interested bodies and made available to members of the public, on request. Copies have also been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.