§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the report by the Royal Society in September 1998 on genetically modified foods. [73657]
§ Mr. MeacherThe report from the Royal Society contained some useful recommendations including the importance of research, the need to look for alternatives to antibiotic resistance markers, the need to keep consumers informed of developments in biotechnology linked with56W increased clarity in labelling and the need to look again at the remit of the advisory committees. The Royal Society has built upon this useful work by submitting a paper in response to the review of the framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology and genetic modification, announced by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 17 December 1998, Official Report, columns 644–45. The Royal Society's views are now being considered as part of that review.