Written question asked by Joan Ruddock (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 November 2000. It was answered by Michael Meacher (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 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, which GM genetic use restriction technologies (a) have been authorised for field testing in Great Britain to date and (b) are awaiting approval.

Answer: Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which GM genetic use restriction technologies (a) have been authorised for field testing in Great Britain to date and (b) are awaiting approval. [138846] Mr. Meacher: Authorisation for the field testing of any genetically modified organism (GMO) in Great Britain is considered on a case-by-case basis. Following the assessment of appropriate scientific data by the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment, the Secretary of State issued a consent on 1 June 2000 for a small scale release of an experimental gene use restriction technology (GURT) system in a genetically modified potato. No other releases of genetically modified organisms incorporating GURT systems have been approved or are awaiting approval in Great Britain.

Secondary information