Genetically Modified Organisms (Hansard, 18 January 1993)

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many and what forms of genetically modified organisms have currently been(a) approved for use in the United Kingdom and (b) pending approval for use in the United Kingdom.

§ Mr. Soames
All genetically modified organisms are subject, in addition to general controls on genetic modification, to any specific legislation controlling the uses for which they are intended. My Department is responsible for giving approval—whether statutory or not—for the use of a number of commodities, which may contain or consist of genetically modified organisms, notably:

veterinary medicines

agricultural pesticides

novel foods

crop varieties.

Statutory approval has been given for seven vaccines for use in treating pigs, and non-statutory clearance for the food use of a genetically modified yeast. Approval has been sought for marketing, throughout the EC, four genetically modified chrysanthemum varieties, and an application for non-statutory clearance for the use in this country of a further yeast has also been received.
In addition, one experimental permit for a genetically modified pesticidal virus has been issued and a further permit has been applied for.
Until 1 February, general control over the use of genetically modified organisms lies with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Employment.

§ Mr. Morley
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up an ethical committee to examine proposals for genetically modified animals with the power to examine proposals before they are submitted for patent, and to control the importation and use of any such animal, or product derived for any such animal developed outside the United Kingdom and the EC; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Soames
I refer the hon. Member to my answer to him on 11 January at column622. I do not propose to anticipate any advice that we may receive from that ethical committee, whose work will cover genetically modified animals as well as other animals bred by advanced techniques.