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Dept of the Environment

Answer

Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment he has made of the amendments proposed by the European Parliament report, A4-0070/97, to the proposal for a Council directive amending directive 90/219/EEC on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (COM (95) 0640-C4-0271/96-95/0340 SYN). [20764] Mr. Gummer: The Health and Safety Executive, in consultation with officials in the Department of the Environment and other interested Departments, studied the amendments in the light of the objectives which I agreed following the European Commission's adoption of its original proposal. Most of the amendments were consistent with the United Kingdom's objective of reducing ineffective administrative burdens at the same time as improving protection of human health and the environment by targeting areas of highest risk. A substantial number, however, would have undermined that objective. The European Parliament voted on the proposed amendments on Wednesday 12 March. I am pleased that most of the amendments contrary to our objectives were rejected. A significant minority, however, were passed. Of particular concern is the proposal to alter the legal base of the directive from that which provides for the establishment of minimum safety standards for human health and the environment to that concerned with the establishment of harmonised standards to enhance the functioning of the internal market. The contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms has nothing to do with the internal market, so the proposed change of legal base would be quite inappropriate.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

20764; 292 c520-1W

Session

1996-97

EC documents

Dir90/219/EEC

Subjects

Environment protection EU law Health and safety Genetically modified organisms Health and Safety Executive