§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry for what reason the Government have decided to oppose attempts by(a) India and (b) other developing countries to ban the import of genetically modified organisms. [70997]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
The Government have no intention of blocking attempts by India or any other country to ban the import of genetically modified organisms. Negotiations are under way to develop an international instrument (the Biosafety Protocol to the convention on Biological Diversity) which will cover transboundary movement of living modified organisms. It has been the Government's position throughout these negotiations that the protocol should contain clear provision allowing countries to withhold agreement to the importing, into their country, of genetically modified organisms where they consider such a measure is necessary. This must be based on sound scientific grounds, assessing the risk to the environment or to human health of environmental release.