HC Deb 08 May 1998 vol 311 cc517-8W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the potential impact on biodiversity, including the indirect effects on birds, of(a) genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops in general, (b) a crop of genetically modified oil seed rape and (c) a crop of genetically modified sugar beet; what proposals he has to monitor such impact; and if he will make a statement. [40556]

Mr. Morley

[holding answer 7 May 1998]: Under the legislation on release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the risk to human health and the environment is assessed on a case by case basis for each and every proposed release. This includes an assessment of the direct and indirect effects of the crops on other organisms, including birds.

Similarly, the possible risks to human health and the environment, including birds, from the use on a genetically modified herbicide tolerant crop of a herbicide to which it is tolerant, would be assessed in accordance with the pesticides legislation.

In 1997, the Department commissioned a programme of research on possible risks to the agricultural environment from the release of herbicide tolerant crops. This includes a three-year monitoring programme to look at the effects on plant biodiversity in field margins. A LINK research project is being put in place on the impacts and management of herbicide tolerance, which will include research into the effects on plant diversity within arable systems. The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions also has a research programme on the risks to the environment from the release of GMOs.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97 requires food products containing oil extracted from genetically modified soy-beans to be labelled to refer to the use of genetically modified material. [41191]

Mr. Morley

The labelling of food ingredients derived from Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) soya beans is covered by Commission Regulation 1813/97. Detailed rules for these ingredients are to be decided at the Internal Market Council on 18 May.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking during the United Kingdom's Presidency to achieve consistency of labelling for genetically modified foods across Europe under the Novel Foods Regulation 258/97; and if he will make a statement. [41190]

Mr. Morley

Under the United Kingdom's Presidency, we have been working hard to improve a Commission proposal on detailed labelling rules for genetically modified (GM) soya and maize ingredients to ensure that the rules are practical and meaningful to consumers. The UK proposals have attracted a large degree of support from other Member States, and the issue will be decided at the Internal Market Council on 18 May. I expect these rules to set a precedent for the labelling of GM foods under the Novel Foods Regulation (258/97).