Written question asked by Anthony Steen (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 October 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 5 November 1998. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Thursday, 5 November 1998 on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food

Question: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, what steps he proposes to take to harmonise the current trial procedures of genetically-modified crops in the United Kingdom with those carried out in Europe. - Inc ref to Environmental Protection Act 1990, EU Directives 70/457/EEC and 70/458/EEC. (Holding answer 3 November 1998).

Answer: Mr. Steen: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he proposes to take to harmonise the current trial procedures of genetically- modified crops in the United Kingdom with those carried out in Europe. [56046] Mr. Rooker: [holding answer 3 November 1998]: Controls over the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are harmonised across the EU by Directive 90/220/EEC. The information requirements to evaluate the safety of GMO releases are set out in this Directive. However, each consent application is reviewed on a case by case basis and trials procedures may vary according to the characteristics of the GMO and the receiving environment. Furthermore, no genetically modified plant variety may enter tests and trials for National List purposes unless and until a release consent has been issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the regulations made under it. The UK's National List system implements EU Directives 70/457/EEC and 70/458/EEC which harmonises the requirement to establish that varieties are distinct, uniform and stable (DUS) and, for the main agricultural species, that they have a value for cultivation and use (VCU) before being entered on a National List. The National List system has no role in considering the environmental or human safety aspects of genetic modification.

Secondary information