HC Deb 25 January 1999 vol 324 cc39-41W
Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what evidence he has assessed that biotechnology may cause permanent changes to the ecosystem. [66680]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 21 January 1999]: All applications for consent to release GM crops are assessed on a case by case basis. The applicants for consent are required to submit evidence regarding the potential impact on the environment. This evidence may be based on the applicants own trials and on studies carried out by independent workers.

In deciding whether or not to grant consent, the Government are advised by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). A consent would only be granted if the evidence suggests that the GMOs are unlikely to result in harm to human health and the environment occurring.

Further evidence is gathered through a Government funded research programme which investigates specific issues in order to underpin the risk assessment and decision making process.

An ACRE sub-group will be set up shortly to consider the wider biodiversity implications of the introduction of GMOs, taking into account current practices and the Government's Biodiversity commitments, to halt and where possible reverse declines in farmland wildlife. Where such research indicates that GM crops have or could cause reductions in this wildlife, action will be taken to stop this.

A number of research studies have indicated potential interference with ecological systems from GM crops, with varying degrees of permanance.

Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the potential of horizontal gene transfer biotechnology to produce new viruses and bacteria. [66684]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 21 January 1999]: Horizontal gene transfer technologies are the basis of modern biotechnology and allow the transfer of genes between unrelated species under contained laboratory conditions. Such work often involves the production genetically modified viruses and bacteria as vectors for gene transfer or research tools. All such work is subject to a risk assessment which considers the potential to unintentionally create new viruses and bacteria that may be pathogenic to man or harmful in the wider environment. If the risk assessment indicated there may be a danger then the work would either not be allowed or it would proceed under the highest containment levels. If a risk assessment turned out to be deficient or incorrect it could unwittingly lead to the production of new viruses or bacteria. However, experience of this technology over the last 25 years both in the UK and worldwide has demonstrated that such events are unlikely.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with beekeepers about and what assessment he has made of (i) the possible implications for the health of the bee population and (ii) the possible contamination of honey resulting from the cultivation of GM crops; and if he will make a statement. [67482]

Mr. Meale

My officials have responded to correspondence and telephone inquiries from beekeepers regarding these two issues. The possibility that crops genetically modified to resist attack from insect pests might also cause harm to non-target beneficial insects is considered in the risk assessment of the approvals procedure. The risks of eating honey made by bees that have visited GM plants have been considered by MAFF. They were advised by the Advisory Committee for Novels Foods and Processes (ACNFP) that the risks were negligible. This is contained in the ACNFP Annual Report 1992, a copy of which is available in the library.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the result of the research project by IACR Rothamsted on the impact on non-target insects of insect-resistant GM crops. [67486]

Mr. Meale

My Department's research contract with IACR Rothamsted to investigate the environmental impact of insect resistance in genetically modified plants with insect resistance genes is due to finish on 31 December this year. The report of the outcome of these studies will be published by the Department early in 2000.