§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what plans he has made to ensure that an up-to-date register of all genetically modified food test sites is available to the relevant local authority; [68615]
(2) what plans he has to provide statutory consultee status to local authorities before genetically modified food test sites are authorised; [68616]
(3) what action his Department has taken in response to objections from residents near to genetically modified food test sites; [68617]
(4) if he will introduce measures to give residents within 800 metres of a genetically modified food test site the right to object to authorisation of the site. [68618]
§ Mr. MeacherMy Department maintains a statutory register of prescribed information concerning applications for consent to release genetically modified organisms. The full register is maintained at the Department's London Office in Victoria Street. Registers are also maintained at Regional Offices of the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive's Office in Edinburgh. 629W Copies of items on the register are provided by post on request. Information on release sites and their locations is also available on the Department's Internet Website.
All applicants for consent to release genetically modified organisms must place an advertisement giving the prescribed information in a newspaper circulating the area of the proposed release site. Any one, including nearby residents and local authorities, may raise an objection by writing to the Secretary of State. All objections received are considered before a decision is made on whether or not to grant consent; where appropriate, the views of the statutory Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment are sought.
There are no plans to give local authorities or nearby residents statutory consultation status.