Written question asked by Countess of Mar (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Henley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 November 2010.

Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Henley on 25 October (WA 219), what assessment they have made of the claim that products from Roundup Ready crops are entering the food supply in the United Kingdom from abroad and that residues of Roundup are to be found in them; and when was the thorough assessment of the health and environmental effects of Roundup herbicide in the formulations currently used most recently conducted.

Answer: Residues of Roundup (active substance glyphosate) may be present in products derived from some Roundup Ready crop varieties as a result of treatment with this herbicide. The potential effects of these residues arising from the use of the herbicide in the European Union (EU) are considered under legislation concerning the placing on the market of plant protection products. Provided Roundup is applied in accordance with conditions of authorisation, any residues present will be below levels that may cause harm to animals and humans. Other EU legislation sets maximum residue levels (MRLs) in food and feed based on the conditions of authorisation of all pesticides used in the EU. MRLs are also set to the same standards for residues of pesticides in imported food and feed. MRLs for glyphosate have been agreed for a range of products including dry pulses, oilseeds and cereals. This legislation also establishes an EU programme for monitoring compliance with these MRLs. The active substance glyphosate was considered as part of the EU-wide review programme in 2002. All UK products were then reconsidered after this review and that exercise was completed in 2006. Any new glyphosate products or changes to approvals since 2002 will also have been considered to the same standards. Active substances are reconsidered on a cyclical basis and glyphosate will be reassessed again through the EU-wide review programme from 2012. This review is expected to be completed in 2014.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 3204; 721 c406-7WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
Written questions
House of Lords; Agriculture: Genetically Modified Crops
Monday, 25 October 2010
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Crops Environment protection Health hazards Genetically modified organisms Food Residues Weedkillers
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk