Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 November 2000. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Thursday, 30 November 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps the Government is taking in relation to genetic use restriction technologies following the recommendation of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity concerning the approval of such technologies by parties for field testing prior to appropriate assessments being made in regard to socio-economic impacts, biological diversity and food security.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps the Government are taking in relation to genetic use restriction technologies following the recommendation of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity concerning the approval of such technologies by parties for field testing prior to appropriate assessments being made in regard to socio-economic impacts, biological diversity and food security. [138795] Mr. Meacher: In line with the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, the Government support strict, case by case, precautionary action to control the field testing and commercial development of gene use restriction technologies. As called for in the decision, we will make available information on UK experience and expertise on such technologies through the clearing-house mechanism under the Convention.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 357 c758W; 138795
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Biodiversity Genetics Genetically modified organisms Testing Convention on Biological Diversity
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk