HC Deb 30 October 2003 vol 412 cc379-81W
Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 23 October 2003, if she will list the scientific studies published on(a) horizontal gene transfer, (b) the effect of growth promoters on gene suppression and gene hot spotting and (c) allergenicity; and where these studies have been peer reviewed. [135074]

Mr. Morley

The GM Science Review (at http:// www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk/report/default.htm) published in July 2003 reports the current state of knowledge on horizontal gene transfer, allergenicity and the potential for generating recombination hot spots, and lists relevant publications and scientific studies. The Science Review does not cover in depth the effect of growth promoters on gene suppression as this issue is not relevant to the GM crops currently under consideration for approval. We do not maintain a list of such publications.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) time limits there are and (b) timetable is in place for her Department's decision-taking relating to the (i) process of licensing GM crops and (ii) releases of genetically modified seeds into the environment. [135138]

Mr. Morley

Case-by-case decisions on applications to release GM crops for commercial cultivation are governed by EC Directive 2001/18. This sets out clear timescales for each stage of the decision-making process. Before a GM crop can be granted consent for commercial importation or cultivation, its release is subjected to an assessment by all EU member states to ensure that it poses no significant risk to human health or the environment. If the UK is the lead competent authority, then it has 90 days to assess the application for compliance with the requirements of the Directive. If the UK is not the lead competent authority, then it has 60 days to forward any comments on applications where another member state has forwarded a favourable opinion to the Commission. As decisions are subject to collective EU agreement, it is not possible to say when a decision on a specific application might be taken, but we do not expect any final decisions before early 2004.

For releases into the environment (i.e. for purposes other than placing on the market), the Directive requires the relevant competent authority to assess applications and respond to the applicant within 90 days. The 90-day clock, however, is stopped for any periods of time during which the competent authority is awaiting further information. There are currently no field trials of genetically modified crops taking place in the UK nor any application being assessed by the Department.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what(a) discussions she has had with and (b) advice she has received from the insurance industry in respect of liability for GM contamination of non-GM farmland. [135140]

Mr. Morley

We have not had any discussions with, or received advice from, the insurance industry on this subject. We will consider it when we have received the report due from the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission on co-existence and liability.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she has set a timetable for public consultation on the reports from(a) the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, (b) the Agriculture and Environment Biotechnology Commission and (c) other commissioned bodies which have either reported or are yet to report on work intended to inform her Department about the use of GM crops. [135145]

Mr. Morley

With regard to(a), ACRE'S advice on the results of the Farm Scale Evaluations will inform our assessment of the relevant crops as each application for consent is considered. To assist its deliberations, ACRE will be holding two open meetings to take evidence from other experts and stakeholders. The first of these will be in London on 25 November 2003 and the second in Edinburgh on 4 December 2003. Details are on the Defra website. There is separate provision in Directive 2001/18/EC for the public to be consulted on applications for the marketing of GM crops.

With regard to (b), we will consider how to proceed once we have received the AEBC's report on coexistence and liability

With regard to (c), we do not envisage any further public consultation exercises at this stage to inform our policy on GM crops. We will decide our policy in the light of all the available information, including the report of the GM public debate.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the(a) earliest and (b) latest possible date is for the publication of the Government response to the report on the public consultation on GM science, GM Nation. [135146]

Mr. Morley

The Government are committed to responding to the GM public debate. No decision has yet been taken on timing, but we anticipate publishing our response in early 2004.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what decisions relevant to future assessments as to the appropriateness of licensing GM crops she plans to make before her Department has responded to the GM Nation report. [135148]

Mr. Morley

As decisions are subject to collective EU agreement under Directive 2001/18, it is not possible to say when decisions might be taken. There are currently 21 Part C marketing applications being processed across the EU, 12 of which include cultivation. The UK is not the lead member state for any of the applications for cultivation and nor are we presently considering any such applications on which other member states lead. 10 of the 12 applications are still at the initial stage of being assessed by the lead member state. Positive assessments were forwarded on the other two applications earlier this year and the UK submitted reasoned objections. The UK will be required to respond to any favourable assessments provided by other member states as they are received. We do not expect any final EU decisions on any application before early 2004.