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GE - millions of pq's [well lots anyway]

plus:
NOTIFICATION OF ORAL EVIDENCE SESSION 

The Scientific Advisory System: Genetically Modified Food 

The Committee will be taking oral evidence from the following witnesses 
at the House of Commons in connection with its inquiry into The 
Scientific Advisory System: Genetically Modified Food.

Wednesday 17th March 1999
At 4.15 pm Professor Janet Bainbridge, Chair of the 
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes 
At 5.00 pm Professor John Beringer, Chair of the Advisory 
Committee on Releases to the Environment
The dates and times of further oral evidence sessions will be announced 
shortly.
This hearing will be held in public in a Committee Room at the House of 
Commons and members of press and public are invited to attend.
===================================
8/3/99

Disposal of Genetically Modified Crops PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport
and the Regions how crops grown in genetically modified crop trials are
disposed of where the subsequent foods or food ingredients do not meet
the requirements that would allow them to enter the food chain. [75112]

Mr. Meacher: The method of disposal is specified in each consent to
release genetically modified crops. Methods for disposal include
landfill, incineration, or autoclave. In addition to these methods,
non-regenerative material may be disposed of by maceration or chemical
treatment at the trial site and subsequent incorporation into the soil
at the trial site. 

8/3/99

Minister for Science PQ

Mr. Redwood: To ask the Prime Minister what instructions he has issued
relating to the Minister for Science's attendance at, or participation
in, meetings where genetically modified foods and crops are discussed.
[73026] 

The Prime Minister: It has not been necessary to issue any such
instructions. 

At all times the Minister for Science has acted in accordance with the
rules set out in the Ministerial Code and the statement he made at the
time he became a Minister. 


8/3/99
Geneva Trade and Environment Symposium PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister who will represent the British
Government at the High Level Symposium on Trade and Environment in
Geneva on 15 and 16 March 1999; what policy position the Government will
be promoting; and if he will make a statement. [74869]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1999]: We will be represented
at the World Trade Organisation Symposium on Trade and Environment by
senior officials from the Department of Trade and Industry, the
Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Department for
International Development, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. We
expect the event to be an opportunity to work with other WTO members and
representatives of non-governmental bodies, including business, to
identify constructive ways ahead on the trade and environment interface.


The Symposium is not intended to be a forum for negotiation or
decision-making, but we hope that the event will progress the trade and
environment debate by helping to: 

Identify mutually-beneficial solutions for achieving trade, environment
and development objectives; 

Encourage further dialogue between all interested communities, in
particular highlighting the importance of transparency at both the
national and international level. 

The United Kingdom will engage constructively in the debate at the
Symposium. 
8/3/99

Biological Resources (Poorer Countries) PQs

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development
in respect of their impact on poorer countries, what assessment her
Department has made of the compatibility of Article 27 of TRIPS and
Articles 8, 15 and 16 of the UN Convention on Biological Resources.
[74844]

Clare Short: The World Trade Organisation Trade Related Aspects of
Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement and the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) are complementary. They both seek to
establish common international frameworks and obligations within which
individual countries may develop legislative regimes appropriate to
their circumstances. 

There are concerns about the way in which the two instruments can be
implemented in a mutually supportive way. Given the interests of
developing countries, many of which have indigenous and local
communities which depend on local biodiversity for their livelihoods and
welfare, we have funded an independent assessment of the implementation
issues. This has been published and is being placed in the Library of
the House. 

Articles 8, 15 and 16 of the CBD refer to the rights of indigenous
people, access to genetic material and transfer of technology
respectively. Article 27 of the TRIPS agreement deals with the
application of intellectual property rights to plant and animal
material. Regarding compatibility with Article 8 of the CBD on the
rights of indigenous people, patents can protect only new technical
contributions. Rights cannot be obtained which cover existing knowledge.
Regarding Article 15 of the CBD on access to genetic material, it is for
individual contracting States to the CBD to set the conditions for
access and it is not a matter for TRIPS or intellectual property
regimes. Regarding Article 16 of the CBD, both the CBD and the TRIPs
agreement encourage the transfer of technology. 

Genetically Modified Organisms PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development
what representations she has received from developing countries on their
attitude towards genetic modification issues; what assessment she has
made of them; and if she will make a statement. [75105] 

Clare Short: I have received no direct representations on these issues.
We will publish a paper later this month outlining our work on
genetically modified organisms and how we propose to assist developing
countries to strengthen their capacity to handle these important issues.



8/3/99

GMO nutritional value PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 1 March
1999, Official Report, column 527, on genetic modification, on what
basis he stated that genetic modification has the potential for the
production of food that is more nutritious and better tasting. [75061]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1999]: 
8/3/99

Genetic Resources Patenting PQ

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what
consultations he had with MAFF, the Department of Health and the
Department for International Development on the formulation of
Government policy on patenting genetic resources for food and
agriculture. [74473]

Mr. Battle: The patenting of genetic resources for food and agriculture,
as with all areas of technology, is governed by the Patents Act 1977. In
July 1998, an EC Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological
Inventions was adopted with the aim of clarifying and harmonising the
patent legislation of all Member States for such inventions. During the
negotiations on this Directive my Department consulted closely with
other Departments including MAFF, the Department of Health and the
Department for International Development. These links have been
maintained since the adoption of the Directive. 
In its report on 'Genetically Modified Plants for Food Use' published
in September 1998, the Royal Society say that 'the use of genetically
modified organisms has the potential to offer real benefits in
agricultural practice, food quality, nutrition and health'. 


Biotechnology PQ

Mr. Yeo: To ask the Prime Minister when he last met environmental groups
with an interest in biotechnology; and who was present at the meeting.
[75063]

The Prime Minister [holding answer 5 March 1999]: As under previous
Administrations, it is not the normal practice to provide details of
private meetings with specific individuals or organisations. 


8/3/99

Genetic Material PQ

Mr. Livsey: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food who
(a) commissioned and (b) carried out the tests conducted on Ciba-Geigy
maize gluten feed to establish the effects of processing on modified and
non-modified genetic material. [74429]

Mr. Rooker: In 1996, the Ministry commissioned tests at the Laboratory
of the Government Chemist on samples of maize gluten feed, specifically
to determine the effect of processing on DNA. 


8/3/99

Powers of Government to ban GM Foods PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what
powers the Government have to ban the import of genetically modified
food. [74828]

Mr. Rooker [holding answer 5 March 1999]: Under Article 12 of the EC
Novel Foods Regulation (258/97), a Member State may act to either
temporarily restrict or suspend the trade in, and the use of, an
approved novel food or food ingredient in its territory if as a result
of new information, or a reassessment of existing information, it has
detailed grounds for believing that its use endangers human health or
the environment. In such cases it is required to immediately inform the
European Commission of its decision. The European Commission then has
three months from the date of referral to resolve the matter or adopt
the Member State's proposed measure. Under the World Trade Organisation
Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, WTO
members have the right to take measures necessary for the protection of
human, animal or plant life or health.

8/3/99

Genetic Resources Patenting PQ

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what
consultations he had with MAFF, the Department of Health and the
Department for International Development on the formulation of
Government policy on patenting genetic resources for food and
agriculture. [74473]

Mr. Battle: The patenting of genetic resources for food and agriculture,
as with all areas of technology, is governed by the Patents Act 1977. In
July 1998, an EC Directive on the Legal Protection of Biotechnological
Inventions was adopted with the aim of clarifying and harmonising the
patent legislation of all Member States for such inventions. During the
negotiations on this Directive my Department consulted closely with
other Departments including MAFF, the Department of Health and the
Department for International Development. These links have been
maintained since the adoption of the Directive. 
9/3/99
Biological Resources (Patents) PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development
what assessment she has made of the implications for poorer countries of
the patents granted within the United States on (a) quinoa, (b) the neem
tree, (c) j'oublie and (d) basmati. [74847]

Clare Short: We have made no assessment of the implications for
developing countries of the patents granted for quinoa, the neem tree,
j'oublie and basmati by the United States. 

Patents can have only national effects and as such are effective only
against acts with the jurisdiction concerned, in these cases the US.
They have no power elsewhere. The owner of a patent can prevent the use
of the protected material by others within the state concerned,
including imports based on the protected technology. 

Patents can protect only new technology, not natural discoveries nor
existing technology and can be challenged in the courts where they are
invalid. 
9/3/99

Genetically Modified Crops PQs

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment,
Transport and the Regions if (a) the local community and (b) farmers
living in the locality of the genetically modified crops that have
marketing consent are required to be informed of the presence of those
crops. [72173]

Mr. Meacher: Council Directive 90/220/EEC controls the deliberate
release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European
Community. Once a GM crop has marketing consent under the Directive, it
applies across all member states and there is no automatic requirement
to notify the authorities, local people or local farmers where the crop
is grown or the area it covers. 

Details of each marketing application, ACRE's advice and the opinion of
the UK Competent Authority are contained in the statutory public
register held in the Department of the Environment, Transport and the
Regions. 

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment,
Transport and the Regions if he will list the sites and the area each
covers which are proposed to be planted with each of the genetically
modified crops that have marketing consent; and when they will be
planted. [72171]


Mr. Meacher: Council Directive 90/220/EEC controls the deliberate
release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European
Community. Therefore, this information is not available. However, the
statutory public register held in the Department of the Environment,
Transport and the Regions contains details of each marketing
application, ACRE's advice and the opinion of the UK Competent
Authority. 

The scope of the permitted use under the marketing consent does not in
every case allow these crops to be cultivated commercially in the
European Community. 

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment,
Transport and the Regions if he will list the genetically modified crops
which have received marketing consent; and to which company each
belongs. [72170]

Mr. Meacher: Council Directive 90/220/EEC controls the deliberate
release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the European
Community. Once a GM crop has marketing consent under the Directive, it
applies across all member states. The GM crops which have received
marketing consent under this Directive and the companies involved are
listed below. 
151


GM Foods PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office by what means he
proposes to quantify (a) the benefits and (b) the risks that might flow
from the genetic modification of (i) crops and (ii) food. [74863]

Dr. Jack Cunningham [holding answer on 5 March 1999]: The Government
receive advice on these issues from their independent expert committees,
including the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment and the
Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes. 

9/3/99

Food Labelling Regulations PQs

Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what
consultations he has had with local authorities about the proposed
enforcement of food labelling regulations by the Food Standards Agency.
[75190]

Mr. Rooker [holding answer 8 March 1999]: Under the Food Standards
Agency food law enforcement will generally continue to be carried out at
the local level. It is proposed, however, that the Agency will assume
new responsibilities for monitoring and setting standards for local
authority enforcement. The Government have maintained regular contact
with local authorities over all enforcement matters, including the
enforcement of labelling regulations and the future responsibilities of
the Agency in this important area. 

Mr. Paice: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he
will list which foods or food ingredients produced from genetically
modified crops are available in the UK and have been labelled in
accordance with the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients
Regulations. [75191]

Mr. Rooker [holding answer 8 March 1999]: Genetically modified (GM)
tomato paste and foods containing GM soya and GM maize are currently
available in the UK. 

The EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation (258/97) came
into force in May 1997. 

Foods containing GM soya and maize, which were approved for marketing
prior to this, are required to be labelled under EC Regulation 1139/98.
The GM tomato paste has been clearly labelled on a voluntary basis by
the manufacturer since its launch in February 1996. 

Genetically Modified Material PQ

Mr. Baker: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what
progress has been made in establishing a de minimis threshold for the
presence of genetically modified material in food, below which labelling
would not be necessary. [75103]

Mr. Rooker [holding answer 8 March 1999]: The European Commission has
undertaken to come forward with proposals on this issue by the end of
March. We will continue to press the European Commission to adhere to
this timetable. 






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