§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many monitoring experiments concerning the release of genetically modified organisms and bacteria the Health and Safety Executive has carried out on discharges from laboratories licensed to undertake activity under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992; and if he will list the dates and places of such monitoring; [10213]
(2) how the need for monitoring concerning the release and survival of genetically modified bacteria has been taken into account in the proposal for certificates of exemption for discharges of certain live GMOs in liquid wastes under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992. [10214]
§ Angela EagleThe Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 1992 require that effluent from higher risk GMOs be inactivated prior to discharge. Users have to monitor the effectiveness of this inactivation. So far as low risk GMOs are concerned, the regulations require that suitable control measures are used to limit their contact with the general population and the environment. The effectiveness of these control measures has to be tested and monitored by those undertaking the activities.
697WThe Health and Safety Executive has not carried out any monitoring experiments. However, HSE specialist inspectors evaluate and discuss monitoring data with users during inspections.
The proposed exemption certificate would allow direct discharge of those untreated liquid wastes containing GMOs which, on the basis of a thorough risk assessment, were judged not to pose a risk of harm to human health and/or the environment. A key factor in this assessment would be that the GMOs were capable of only limited survival in the environment. The conditions attached to the proposed exemption certificate would require compliance with all other provisions of the contained use regulations, including monitoring.
The Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification will shortly be evaluating the outcome of a recent consultation exercise on the proposed exemption certificate. The HSE will then consider its advice before agreeing with relevant Departments—so far as matters relate to the environment—whether the certificate should be issued.