§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in relation to the approved field trials of genetically modified crops. what evidence is(a) currently available and (b) in the process of being collected, in respect of (i) pollen transfer, (ii) horizontal gene flow to soil bacteria, (iii) changes in the nature of residues in the final product, with particular reference to neurotoxins, metabolites and those in its transgenic counterpart, (iv) transfer of genes from plants to micro-organisms, (v) transfer of genes between plant species and (vi) the impact on insect and wildlife in the local ecosystem. [78015]
§ Mr. MeacherThere is no readily available comprehensive list of all this work, though the more relevant papers are referenced in various DETR/Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment publications lodged in the Library or placed on the DETR internet site. Research into details of all the processes is continuing,108W but mainly in Universities and relevant research institutes. The primary aim of the farm-scale evaluations is to investigate the impacts on wildlife populations and biodiversity in growing these crops on the field scale.