§ Joan RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when and in what form the release of a GE virus at University Farm, Wytham, Oxfordshire (grid ref SP47170884) will take place; and what information he has received regarding the biosafety implications of this type of pesticide. [122513]
§ Mr. MeacherLarvae of the Cabbage looper(Trichoplusia ni) infected with an insect-specific genetically modified baculovirus that lacks the ecdysteroid glucosyltransferase (egt) gene (responsible for promoting moulting in insects), will be released into netted enclosures this year at grid reference SP 4717 0884 near Wytham in Oxfordshire.
Baculoviruses are a family of viruses restricted in host range to insects and a number of other arthropods. They are not infectious to man, other vertebrates, plants, non-arthropod invertebrates or other micro-organisms and are routinely used as a naturally occurring insecticide.
The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has considered the full risk assessment for the release of this genetically modified baculovirus and advised that the release will pose no risk to human health or the environment. The full application and risk assessment is available on the GMO Deliberate Release Public Register held in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Region's offices at Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London, SW1.