§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the effect of genetically modified pollen on butterflies. [85285]
§ Mr. MeacherI am aware of the recent report in "Nature" about the possible adverse effects of pollen from genetically modified insect resistant maize on the Monarch Butterfly in America. The maize in question has had a gene from a naturally occurring soil bacterium"Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)" inserted which allows it to produce a toxin that kills corn boring insects.
Information from this laboratory study will be considered carefully, and ACRE will be asked to advise about the implications for existing approvals for the planting of this GM crop in the European Community. The GM crop used in the study is not being released in the United Kingdom, either experimentally or commercially. Since the European Corn Borer, the pest controlled by the Bt toxin, does not occur in the UK, this GM crop is unlikely to be grown here.
DETR are aware of potential risks of GM insect resistant crops to non-target and beneficial organisms, and are funding research to investigate these. This research will underpin regulatory decision making and inform ACRE' s deliberations.