HC Deb 09 February 1999 vol 325 cc153-4W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which ministers will be attending, and what position the Government will be advocating, at the forthcoming meeting in Colombia to discuss the Biosafety Protocol. [69821]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 8 February 1999]: The Government are eager to ensure that the final meeting of the Open-ended Ad hoc Working Group on Biosafety developing the Biosafety Protocol reaches a successful conclusion. I refer the hon. Member to replies given to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) on 19 January 1999, Official Report, column 446, that set out the Government's position on commodities, liability and redress and socio-economic considerations.

We believe the scope of the protocol should be broad, covering all transboundary movements of LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology which may have an adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, with a mechanism for granting exemptions.

The UK believes that the Protocol should refer to the precautionary principle. The EU has proposed its inclusion in the preamble to, and in the objectives of the Protocol.

On AIA procedures, our aim is to establish a predictable, science-based and transparent regime which establishes controls proportionate to the risks.

We will argue strongly for the inclusion of provisions requiring the exporter to indicate, either through labelling or accompanying documentation, whether the movement/ shipment contains LMOs. This will also help to show that a movement is in conformity with the Protocol and will provide transparency and openness on LMOs.

It is clear that Parties must have or develop the capacities to be able to make informed decisions about proposed transboundary movements. We therefore believe that the protocol should reflect the need for the strengthening of human and institutional capacities.

We will, alongside our European partners, seek in negotiations to obtain an instrument that provides the necessary environmental safeguards without hampering trade. We would be against any provision that could be taken as a subordination to other international agreements. In our view agreements should be regarded as being of equal standing and treated in a complementary manner.

No UK Ministers will be present at the meeting.