Written question asked by Alan Simpson (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 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, if he will list the dedicated research being undertaken into the potential effects on biodiversity of the use of GM acquaculture stocks; if he will list the research studies used by the Government to evaluate the potential risks of introducing GM fish varieties into aquaculture. - Inc ref to "Guidance for Experimental Releases of Genetically Modified Fish" (ACRE Guidance Note 8, February 1997), in the Library.

Answer: Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he will list the dedicated research being undertaken into the potential effects on biodiversity of the use of GM aquaculture stocks; [157267] (2) if he will list the research studies used by the Government to evaluate the potential risks of introducing GM fish varieties into aquaculture. [159811] Ms Quin: The Ministry has not commissioned any research in this area. The potential risks of releasing GM fish are well understood and are considered in a booklet published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions entitled "Guidance for Experimental Releases of Genetically Modified Fish" (ACRE Guidance Note 8, February 1997). This is available in the House Library. Anyone proposing the release of a GM fish would have to submit a full dossier of risk assessment data as part of the statutory consent procedure.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 368 c136W;368 c136-7W; 157267;159811
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Environment protection Genetically modified organisms Fish Research
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk