HC Deb 22 February 2000 vol 344 cc915-6W
Joan Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions 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 plant crops, listing the crops that have been released for research purposes in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the EU, in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [108623]

Mr. Meacher

Antibiotic resistance genes are included in some (but not all) GM plants to help identify them in the research and development phase of their production. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has considered the risks posed to the environment by antibiotic resistance genes. It was the Committee's view that, of the ones approved for release, there is little or no evidence that antibiotic resistance genes can escape from crop plants under field conditions, but even if it did happen it would not cause environmental harm, or add significantly to the total amount of resistance already widespread in the environment, compared to other uses in medicine and agriculture.

The table lists the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, used in genetic modification of crops for research releases in the United Kingdom during the past five years.

Gene Antibiotic
nptll or neo Aminoglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin, and neomycin
Aad Streptomycin and spectinomycin
Bla Narrow spectrum lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin
Hpt Hygromycin

I have today placed in the House Library details of the specification of modified crops including antibiotic marker genes that have been released in the UK for research purposes over the last five years.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC), through its Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, collate and distribute to member states, Norway and Iceland a summary of each part B (research and development) application received in the EU. In excess of 1,000 (approx.) crops containing antibiotic marker genes have been released for research purposes in the EU in the last five years. To provide information on each crop through this PQ would involve a disproportionate cost because member states have direct control over the licensing the release of GM crops in their own territory. Each member state would therefore need to be contacted individually to clarify the information.