§ Mr. TylerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what projections have been made by his Department of the long-term effects of the interaction of genetically modified organisms with their environment. [8040]
§ Angela Eagle[holding answer 14 July 1997]: The purpose of part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 is to prevent or minimise damage to the environment from the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In considering applications for consent to release GMOs, the risks to human health and the environment, including long term effects, are assessed before a decision is made. A consent is granted only if the risks of the proposed release are low or effectively zero.
228WThe Department funds a research programme to identify potential risks, to monitor particular existing releases to confirm that the risk assessment is correct, and to support decision making in granting consents.