HC Deb 07 February 2000 vol 344 c12W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he has taken to ensure that modifications to Directive 90/220 (Deliberate Release of Genetically Modified Organisms) do not suppress technological developments in developing countries. [108092]

Mr. Meacher

The purpose of Directive 90/220/EEC is to protect human health and the environment against any adverse effects which might arise from the deliberate release or placing on the market of genetically modified organisms.

The Common Position on the revision of the Directive agreed by the Council on 9 December 1999 continues to reflect this purpose while increasing the efficiency and transparency of the decision making process under the Directive. It does not affect the operation of the Directive with regard to the technological developments in developing countries.

However, such countries which are without domestic legislation relating to the import of genetically modified organisms will in the future be able to decide, on the basis of a specific risk assessment, whether to accept the import of genetically modified organisms. Provisions to do this are included in the United Nations Environment Programme Biosafety Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted on 29 January.

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