§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what pesticide approvals for glufosinate ammonium have been given in respect of trials of genetically modified crops carried out under Part B of Council Directive 90/220 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms. [109221]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 8 February 2000]: To date we have granted four experimental approvals under the Plant Protection Products Regulations 1995 (as amended) for the use of glufosinate ammonium on genetically modified crops. These would permit uses in trials of genetically modified crops carried out under Part B of Council Directive 90/220.
Details of experimental approvals have not been published for reasons of commercial confidentiality. We have initiated a review of the current arrangements to see if there is scope for greater openness and transparency.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of crops from which genetically modified foods available in the United Kingdom have been produced in the last five years. [108624]
§ Ms QuinThe only foods available in the UK which have been produced from GM crops containing antibiotic marker genes are highly processed products in which all the genetic material, including antibiotic marker genes, has been rendered inactive through extensive degradation. The two marker genes, in either a complete or disrupted form, that have been used in these crops are kanamycin and ampicillin resistance genes. The intact genes convey resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin, neomycin and geneticin; and narrow spectrum . lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin respectively.
§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent research has been undertaken into the possible effects of antibiotic resistance gene markers retained in foods produced by the genetic modification of crops on(a) humans and (b) animals; and if he will make a statement. [108620]
§ Ms QuinMAFF is funding the following research into the possible effects of antibiotic resistance gene markers retained in foods produced by the genetic modification of crops, all of which are due to be completed in 2001.
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Project code Title Contractor FS0225 Evaluating the risk of the transfer or DNA between micro organisms in the gut and between micro organisms and gut cells Newcastle University FS0227 Assessment of the risks of transferring antibiotic resistance determinants from transgenic plants to micro-organisms Leeds University FS0228 Dissemination of DNA and antibiotic resistance genes via rumen micro-organisms Rowett Research Institute FS0229 Risk of gene transfer from genetically modified crop plants to gut bacteria Institute of Food Research