§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
In view of their policy towards genetically modified food and its production, what discussions they have had with the United Nations Development Programme on that body's endorsement of such food production in developing countries and on the relevance of such a policy to sustainable development, health and biodiversity;and what was the outcome of any such discussions. [HL297]
§ Baroness AmosWe have not held bilateral discussions with the UNDP on these issues. However, we are taking an active role in the international debate on biotechnology and GMOs. The Government, in cooperation with the OECD, Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Secretariat to the Convention on Biological Diversity sponsored a conference in Bangkok, Thailand, last week to explore ways to integrate best scientific knowledge on the safety of GM crops and foods into the international processes for consensus building. Its aim was to ensure international biosafety activities incorporate the best scientific evidence and address public concerns. The UK provided support for developing country experts to help ensure the views of developing countries were well represented.
The Government's view is that genetic modification technologies have the potential to provide great benefits for people and the environment when managed responsibly. We remain concerned to help ensure that in developing countries they are used safely, appropriately and effectively to bring real benefits to poor people and that these countries are in a position to manage their safe development and use. A background briefing note on DfID's approach to GMOs and developing countries is available on the DfID website at http://www.dfid.gov.uk/public/news/ briefgmo.html.