HC Deb 16 June 1999 vol 333 cc135-6W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions under what Article of the Treaty consents for growing genetically modified crops are issued; when the relevant substantive resolution was agreed in each House of Parliament relating thereto; and what amendments have subsequently been made. [86236]

Mr. Meacher

All consents for the deliberate release into the environment of Genetically Modified Organisms are issued on the basis of the procedures laid down in Council Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990. The legal basis of the Directive is Article 95 (ex Article 100a) of the Treaty establishing the European Community. The Regulations implementing the Directive, detailed in the answer of 22 March 1999,Official Report, column 41, were adopted by negative resolution. The Directive was adapted to take account of technical progress by Commission Directive 94/15/EC of 15 April 1994.

Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops. [86321]

Mr. Meacher

The antibiotic marker genes and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops released for research purposes in the European Community are listed in the table:

Gene Antibiotic
nptII Kanamycin
bla Ampicillin
hpt Hygromycin
aad Streptomycin
tet Tetracycline
aad Spectinomycin
nptIII Amikacin
gen Gentamycin

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what baseline studies of biodiversity in genetically modified crop test site areas are required to be carried out prior to genetically modified crops being planted. [86886]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 15 June 1999]All applications for consent to release a genetically modified plant must include a pre-planting environmental audit including details of the release site ecosystem including climate and fauna, details of any sexually compatible wild relatives or cultivated plant species present and the proximity of officially recognised biotopes or protected areas. Specific baseline studies of biodiversity at test sites are not required.

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what permissions have been granted to grow genetically modified food at Blunsdon, near Swindon; and if he will make a statement. [86413]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 11 June 1999]No consent to release a genetically modified crop has been issued in respect of Blunsdon, Wiltshire. The only such consent in Wiltshire relates to the release of GM spring oilseed rape at Lushill Farm, Hannington, Wiltshire, consent number 98/R19/18.