§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the genetically modified trial crops currently being grown in Devon, indicating in each instance(a) the specific location, (b) the crop involved, (c) the reason for the crop being grown and (d) which company is growing them. [69338]
§ Mr. MeacherThere are no genetically modified crops currently being grown in Devon.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Stinchcombe), of 25 January 1999,Official Report, column 40, concerning GMOs, if he will list the research studies which have indicated potential interference with ecological systems for genetically modified crops, indicating in each case (a) the date of the study, (b) the crop concerned, (c) the potential interference identified and (d) the degree of permanence in respect of potential interference. [69336]
§ Mr. MeacherI am not aware of any research studies with genetically modified crops that have shown any more damaging interference with ecological systems than would be expected from the non GM crop in similar circumstances.
My previous answer referred to research studies which indicate the potential to interfere with ecosystems if the results were to be translated to the wider environment. For example, the laboratory based study by Hilbeck et al., (1998) Environmental Entomology 27 p480–487 which showed increased mortality of immature lacewing insects fed on moth caterpillars that had in turn fed on genetically modified maize expressing insecticidal Bt toxin. There is no evidence that this non-target effect on lacewings can be detected in the field when the GM maize is grown, but there may be potential for interference and the Advisory 719W Committee on Releases to the Environment have advised due vigilance. Similarly, the report by Bergelson et al., (1998) Nature 395 p25 indicates that GM Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant used by scientists, might hybridise with neighbouring plants at a higher frequency than non GM Arabidopsis. If this were generally true for GM crops, and there is no evidence that it is, then hybridisation with wild relatives may be more prevalent than expected.
Location Crop Consent holder Alleged infringement Holton-le-Moor, Lincolnshire Oilseed rape Nickersons Biochem Isolation distance of 400m not maintained, as GM oilseed rape trial planted close to non GM oilseed rape Incergowrie, Dundee (at two sites) Potatoes Scottish Crop Research Institute Field beans grown instead of bearley as the follow-on crop after the trial of GM potatoes