HL Deb 07 July 2000 vol 614 c161WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Whitty on 6 June (WA 146), by what methods the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment ascertained that genetically modified (GM) trial crops would have no adverse effects on bees or honey or fruit containing GM pollen; and whether they consider such methods to be valid and trustworthy. [HL2815]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Lord Whitty)

When making the applications for deliberate release consent, the applicants submitted data using a variety of multidisciplinary approaches to assess the possible effects on bees and impact of GM pollen on human health. These included observations on bees and other organisms in the field, toxicological tests, allergenicity tests, information on the biochemical properties of the transgenic proteins expressed in these plants and comparison of transgenic proteins with sequences in scientific databases of known toxins and allergens.

The experts on ACRE considered this data in the light of their own knowledge and experience and in the light of the body of scientific understanding at the time before reaching a decision. The committee agreed that the risks posed to human health and the environment from these releases were very low. Details of the methods and assessments are held on the public register at Ashdown House.

Further consideration has been given to GM pollen in honey by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), an independent body of experts that advises the Government on the safety of novel (including GM) foods. ACRE was aware that ACNFP hosted a workshop in 1991 to consider the safety aspects of GM pollen in honey. It concluded that the levels of pollen in honey would be so low as not to be a health issue. Results from three research projects commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) support this conclusion.