§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the environmental impact of using genetically engineered oilseed rape to produce plastic polymers in leaves and seeds; and if he will make a statement. [20254]
§ Angela EagleUnder the current legislation no releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may be carried out without the prior consent of the Secretary of State. To date, no applications for consent to release oilseed rape genetically modified for the production of plastics into the environment have been made. The possibility that development work may continue to field trials in the future has been anticipated by the Department. The release of these genetically modified plants may pose unique risks to human health and the environment which could include toxicity and allergenicity to humans, gene transfer to other oilseed rape crops and effects on other species.
31WA research contract has been let to the University of Aberystwyth with three aims: to evaluate the current status of development of these novel types of GMOs; to identify particular risks that they pose to human health and the environment; and to recommend risk management procedures. The results of this research, which will be completed in April 1999, will be used by the Department to consider whether consents may be granted for releases of these GMOs into the environment, and what level of management would be necessary to ensure that the risk to human health and the environment is minimised.