HC Deb 30 November 2000 vol 357 cc788-9W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the role and purpose of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. [141119]

Mr. Mullin

The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) is a statutory science and technical committee formed under section 124 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

ACRE advises the UK Government, the devolved Administrations and the Health and Safety Commission/Executive on the risks posed to human health and the environment from the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms. The Committee also advises on the release of non-native plants and animals covered by sections 14 and 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

ACRE members are independent and appointed purely for their scientific and technical expertise. The Committee meets approximately eight times each year and the Agenda and Minutes of the meetings are published on the Internet at www.environment.detr.gov.uk/acre/index.htm. Further information about the role, purpose and activities of ACRE, its membership and full Terms of Reference may be found in the Committee's 1999 Annual Report, a copy of which is in the House Library, as well as on the website above.