§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
At the time the Secretary of State for the Department of the Environment, Food and Regional Affairs made her statement on GM commercialisation on 9 March, they were aware of the research on sheep feeding trials involving GM maize at Leeds University and the recent research on cauliflower mosaic virus conducted in Norway; and whether, in the light of the findings from these studies, they will commission further research before Chardon LL maize is placed on the National Seeds Register. [HL2118]
§ Lord WhittyWe were aware of both of these research projects at the time of the Statement on 9 March.
The study at Leeds University was part of one of the programmes funded by the Food Standards Agency to study the potential for horizontal gene transfer. The work has not examined the impact of the GM feed on the sheep, but focuses on the potential for the transfer 174WA of genetic material from GM feed into bacteria found in the animal gut. There have been two peer-reviewed publications so far and the results were considered during the public debate GM science review (www.gmsciencedebate.org.uk, First report, Chapter 5.4).
The reported new scientific evidence from Norway on the cauliflower mosaic virus promoter has yet to be published. When the details of this research do become available, the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE), which advises the Government on the risks posed by the intentional release of GMOs, will be asked to evaluate these data and advise on their implications for existing consents and future applications.
Neither of these studies appears to have any bearing on the decision criteria for national listing of seeds.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have asked the French competent authorities for a variation in the conditions attached to Part C consent for Chardon LL maize; and whether they have specified for that authority all the parameters that must be listed in order for the variety to be grown in the future in strict accordance with Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment advice. [HL2121]
§ Lord WhittyOn 9 March 2004 Defra officials wrote to the French Competent Authority, which issued the relevant consent on behalf of all EU member states, seeking amendments to the consent for Bayer T25 GM maize (Chardon LL) to limit herbicide use with the crop in line with ACRE's advice. A copy of the letter to the French Competent Authority has been published on the Defra website and placed on the public register.
§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken to ensure that animal health or welfare are not compromised by continuous feeding of genetically modified fodder maize silage, particularly to beef cattle. [HL2154]
§ Lord WhittyUnder EU Directive 2001/18, no genetically modified organisms may be used in animal feed in the EU unless and until EU member states have agreed collectively that is safe to do. In making these decisions, each GM product is judged on its own merits according to evidence of risk to human health and the environment.
In the UK we are advised on GM product applications by a statutory body—the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE). If a proposed GM product were intended for use in animal feed, ACRE would consult the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF), which would provide advice on risks to animal health.