§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1998,Official Report, columns 641–42, if he will make a statement on the ethical and wider public interest considerations which he wishes to be taken into account in the revision of Directive 90/220/EEC on the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms; and if he intends to press for a requirement to show a need for the genetically-modified organism. [29712]
§ Mr. MeacherThe report of the 1997 National Biotechnology Conference published in September last year highlighted that some aspects of the development of biotechnology raise wider issues, including ethical concerns. These included concerns about the spread of genes into wild populations and the effects of the introduction of genetically modified crops into our natural and agricultural environment. Other concerns include whether social need justifies the risk being taken in developing a GMO and whether the technology employed is appropriate and the safest available. The Government are preparing their response to the report of the conference, which should be published shortly. In responding, we shall be considering both how best to address these concerns and the constraints on action and their relevance to the revision of the directive 90/220.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 4 February 1998,Official Report, columns 641–42, if he will list the Government's concerns about the current procedures relating to the marketing and release of genetically modified organisms as laid down in Council Directive 90/220/EEC. [29711]
§ Mr. MeacherMy concern has been partly over comitology and the lack of a timetable and transparency of the decision making process, but also about the failure for wider aspects of the public interest to be taken into account.