Written question asked by Paul Flynn (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 February 1997. It was answered by Baroness Browning (Conservative) on Monday, 10 February 1997 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: What assessment he has made of the effect of the digestion process on genes in respect of his consideration of (a) the importation of genetically modified maize and (b) section 16 of the European Directive. - (Holding answer 6 February 1997).

Answer: Mr. Flynn: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the effect of the digestion process on genes in respect of his consideration of (a) the importation of genetically modified maize and (b) section 16 of the European directive. [14487] Mrs. Browning: [holding answer 6 February 1997]: In considering the safety of Ciba Geigy's maize, the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes was satisfied that processing for food and animal feed use, with the action of digestive enzymes, would result in the substantial degradation of the DNA. However, it did not consider that the digestive process alone would be sufficient to avoid a small but finite risk arising of the transfer of an antibiotic gene in the maize to micro-organisms in the gut of animals if the maize was fed in an unprocessed form. This risk was examined by three EC scientific committees but not thought to be significant enough to warrant a ban on genetically modified maize imports into the Community. I am not aware of any new data that would justify invoking article 16 of directive 90/220/EEC in respect of this material.

Secondary information