§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, pursuant to the answer of 2 February 1999,Official Report, column 604, to the Member for North Cornwall (Mr. Tyler), what was the date of the first assessment by his Department of the impact of genetically modified feed material on human health; if he will list the studies commissioned in this area with the dates of those studies; and if he will make a statement. [73400]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 1 March 1999] The implications for human health from the use of animal feed materials derived from a genetically modified crop were first considered in 1994.
Work was commissioned in 1996 with the Laboratory of the Government Chemist to determine the effects of processing on maize by-products, in connection with the application for a marketing consent for pest resistant maize. A further MAFF-funded study at Leeds University has looked at the various parameters used to process animal feeds and their effect on DNA; this was completed in 1998.
More recently, follow-up work has been commissioned with ADAS, to investigate the effects of processing on DNA in certain feeds under controlled commercial conditions.
There has been other relevant work which has considered the potential for gene transfer from GM organisms to gut bacteria.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the agricultural implications of the introduction of genetically modified crops into United Kingdom agriculture. [73401]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 1 March 1999] The Government believe that there are potential benefits to UK agriculture from the introduction of genetically modified crops. At the same time we recognise that there are widespread concerns about potential risks which they may pose to the agricultural environment. In response to these two considerations, we have set in hand a programme of research into the potential risks, and are proceeding with caution at the farm level by arranging a limited number of field-scale trials this year with full ecological monitoring.
720W
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will place in the Library responses to his Department's consultation document on genetically modified herbicide-resistant crops in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [72227]
§ Mr. RookerThe comments on this discussion paper (issued on 10 July 1997) can be found in the Libraries of the House, and are available for viewing by the public on request in my Department's library at Whitehall Place.
The responses received were taken fully into account when formulating the statement I made to the House of Lords Select Committee on European Legislation on 21 October 1998.
§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the reports from outside bodies on genetically modified food received by his Department in September 1998. [73502]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government welcome all reports by outside bodies that make a constructive contribution to the debate about genetically modified (GM) food and biotechnology. In this context, the Government particularly welcomed the Royal Society report on GM foods and crops published in September 1998.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the Catering Committee about genetically modified foods in the House; and if he will make a statement. [72999]
§ Mr. RookerI have had no such discussions with the House Catering Committee on this matter.
I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the statement issued by Sue Harrison, the Director of Catering Services and Head of the Refreshment Department for the House of Commons, on 17 February 1999, in which she makes it clear that although the use of foods containing genetically modified (GM) organisms is avoided wherever possible, there is no outright ban on the use of such foods in the House of Commons dining rooms and cafeterias.
The Government continue to be committed to ensuring that all GM foods are clearly labelled to enable all consumers, including hon. Members, to be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to eat such foods.
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what powers Her Majesty's Government have to impose a moratorium on the production and sale of genetically modified foods(a) with and (b) without EU permission. [72998]
§ Mr. RookerUnder Article 12 of the EC Novel Foods Regulation (258/97), a member state may act to either temporarily restrict or suspend the trade in, and the use of, an approved novel food or food ingredient in its territory if as a result of new information, or a reassessment of existing information, it has detailed grounds for believing that its use endangers human health or the environment. In such cases, it is required to immediately inform the European Commission of its decision. The European Commission then has three months from the date of referral to resolve the matter or adopt the member state's proposed measure.
721W
§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to require all genetically modified foods to be clearly labelled when offered for sale to the general public. [72997]
§ Mr. RookerIt is already a requirement under EC law (EC Regulations 258/97 and 1139/98) that foods are labelled to inform consumers when their content has been genetically modified. GB legislation to enforce Regulation 1139/98, which requires all foods containing genetically modified soya and maize to be clearly labelled, will be brought into force as quickly as parliamentary procedures allow.