Genetically Modified Organisms

HC Deb 23 February 1999 vol 326 cc204-5W

Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if developing countries can withhold agreement to import genetically modified organisms on the basis of detriment to traditional methods of farming. [72209]

Mr. Meacher

The UK currently has a delegation in Colombia engaged in final negotiations on the UN Biosafety Protocol. This instrument will govern the transboundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (effectively the same as GMOs).

While many of the developing countries want to see socio-economic factors such as the effect on traditional farming practices form part of the risk assessment, exporting countries disagree. My instructions are that the UK, on its own and as part of the EU negotiating group, should seek an outcome that includes some reference to socio-economic factors and encourages research into impacts on farming practices. We expect that countries will always be able to ban imports where there is evidence of serious damage to the environment or human health.