§ Mr. MorleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies are available to him on the environmental impact of genetically engineered crops designed to be resistant to herbicides; and what evidence there is of potential prejudice to the environment arising from their use. [28454]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordUnder the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992, the release or marketing of genetically modified organisms, including GM crops resistant to herbicides, is subject to610W prior consent. Advice is given on applications for consent by an independent committee of experts, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, which brings scientific knowledge to the Secretary of State on the impact of GM crops.
Information is also available from research programmes on the release of GM crops carried out by the Department of the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and the Scottish Office of Agriculture and Fisheries Department.
Current scientific information and our experience to date has not given cause for concern in terms of adverse effects on the environment from the release of GM crop plants resistant to herbicides. We will continue to use such information and the advice of ACRE in the review of applications to release GM organisms, including herbicide resistant crops, in order to assess their environmental impact.