§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in the absence of agreement on a Biosafety Protocol under the Biodiversity Convention, the World Trade Organisation may back exporters of products including genetically modified organisms which governments of importing countries wish to subject to "advance informed consent"; and. if so, whether they will seek to halt activities in this field until agreement on the Protocol has been reached. [HL1439]
§ Lord WhittyAdvance informed consent for the import of products including genetically modified organisms is not necessarily inconsistent with WTO rules. The UK, in accordance with the EC legislation, will continue to require that any person intending to import a GMO intended for release into the environment 139WA or for marketing must first obtain a consent. The advance informed agreement in the Biosafety Protocol would not negate the need for a consent under the EC legislation. This EC requirement is consistent with WTO rules. There is therefore no need to halt activities in this field until agreement on the Biosafety Protocol is reached.