HC Deb 05 May 1999 vol 330 cc383-4W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will increase the time allocated by Health and Safety Executive inspectors to the inspection of genetically modified trial crop sites. [74867]

Mr. Meacher

[holding answer 5 March 1999]: The time allocated for Health and Safety Executive inspection of genetically modified trial crop sites has been increased in 1999–2000 by about 15 per cent. compared with the previous year.

Ms Drown

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to use research data from other countries on the ecological impact of genetically engineered of crops in order to avoid the need to plant such crops in this country for research purposes. [79488]

Mr. Meacher

All available research data are used, including data from other countries, when making assessments. However, the UK ecosystem is unique and therefore information from other countries is not always relevant. Some research trials are statutory, for example trials in respect of the UK National List of Seeds, and these must be grown and assessed in the UK.

Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to improve the mechanisms for informing local communities of genetically modified crops being grown in their area. [82259]

Mr. Meacher

Information on the location of trials of genetically modified (GM) crops is currently available on the public register held in my Department. Outside of London, details of local releases are available at the regional offices of the Environment Agency and in Scotland at both the offices of the Scottish Office and the Health and Safety Executive, Edinburgh. The information is also available on my Department's website. Copies of register entries for particular releases are available by post on request. In addition, anyone applying for a release consent must publish a notice in a newspaper circulating in the areas likely to be affected by the proposed release. We continue to examine ways of improving the availability of information to local communities of GM crop trials but have no plans at present to change existing mechanisms.