§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the dedicated research being undertaken into the potential effects on biodiversity of the use of GM aquaculture stocks; [157267]
(2) if he will list the research studies used by the Government to evaluate the potential risks of introducing GM fish varieties into aquaculture. [159811]
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§ Ms QuinThe Ministry has not commissioned any research in this area. The potential risks of releasing GM fish are well understood and are considered in a booklet published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions entitle "Guidance for Experimental Releases of Genetically Modified Fish" (ACRE Guidance Note 8, February 1997). This is available in the House Library. Anyone proposing the release of a GM fish would have to submit a full dossier of risk assessment data as part of the statutory consent procedure.
Code Project title SF0102 The genetic identification of Atlantic salmon populations. SF0103 Collation and analysis of data on genetic variation in Atlantic salmon from the British Isles. SF0217 The role of the major histocompatibility complex in kin recognition in Atlantic salmon. SF0223 Behavioural genetics and spawning success of spring run Atlantic salmon in the Girnock Burn, Aberdeenshire. SF0210 Molecular genetics for discrimination in marine fish and salmonids. SF0224 Detection of triploidy in Rainbow trout and Brown trout by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. FC0207 Production of sexually sterile bivalve molluscs. FC0215 Enhancing growth and survival of hatchery produced scallops. FC1118 The molecular basis for the pathogenicity of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus. FC1126 Designing fish for disease resistance. FC1139 Improving the health of fish by promoting natural disease resistance—a molecular biological approach. MF0146 Genetic identification of fish eggs by species-specific DNA markers for use in stock biomass assessments by the egg production method. MF0226 Population genetics of shellfish in British waters. MF0428 Large scale evaluation of fish egg identification using genetic probes.
§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the UK Government have taken to enforce Article 9.3.1 of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation code of conduct on minimising the harmful effects of introducing genetically altered fish stocks. [157270]
§ Ms QuinIn line with EU directive 90/220, a consent to release transgenic fish would be granted only if a rigorous assessment confirmed there was no unacceptable risk to human health or the environment. The assessment would take into account the likelihood of farmed fish escaping into open waters and look in detail at the potential impact on wild stocks. This policy is fully in accord with the UN/FAO code of conduct for responsible fisheries.