To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements have been made for advice to be obtained on proposals to release genetically modified organisms to the environment.
At present, advice is obtained from a sub-committee of the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on genetic manipulation and from my Department's interim advisory committee on introductions.I have agreed, in conjunction with the Health and Safety Commission, that these two committees will be replaced by a single committee to give advice on all aspects of the safety of proposed releases to the environment of genetically modified, and other novel organisms. I announced during Second Reading of the Environmental Protection Bill on 15 January,
Official Report, column 42 that Professor John Beringer of Bristol university has agreed to be chairman of a new committee to advise on release in relation to the new legislation. I anticipate that the new committee, whose establishment I am announcing today, will evolve in due course into the committee to advise on the new legislation.
The full terms of reference of the committee will be to advise the Health and Safety Commission and Executive, Secretaries of State, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and other bodies as appropriate, on all aspects of the human and environmental health and safety of the introduction into the United Kingdom environment of genetically modified and other novel organisms; and in particular to advise on proposals for specific introductions, on research needs, and on proposed regulations and written guidance.
I am pleased to announce that members of the committee will include people from a wide range of backgrounds, including different scientific disciplines,both sides of industry, local authorities, farmers and environmental experts.
Name
| Expertise
| Organisation
|
Prof. J. E. Beringer(Chairman) | Microbial ecologist and geneticist | University of Bristol |
Sir Kenneth Blaxter, FRS | Applied biologist and agronomist | Former Director, Rowett Research Institute |
Prof. M. P. Hassel, FRS | Population biologist | Imperial College |
Prof. D. Onions | Veterinary biologist | University of Glasgow |
Prof. M. Williamson | Biologist and ecologist | University of York |
Prof. A. Atkinson | Microbiologist | Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research, Porton Down |
Prof. D. Jeffries | Human virologist/medic | St. Bartholomew's Hospital |
Dr. D. R. Langslow | Biologist and ecologist | Chief Scientist, Nature Conservancy Council |
Dr. D. Robinson | Plant virologist | Scottish Crops Research Institute |
Dr. C. Gliddon | Plant population geneticist | University of Bangor, North Wales |
Dr. A. Watkinson | Plant ecologist | University of East Anglia |
Dr. M. Elliott | Freshwater biologist | Institute of Freshwater Ecology |
Mr. J. E. Moffitt | Cattle breeding and arable farmer | Stockswell, Northumberland |
Prof. N. J. Poole | Microbiologist | ICI Seeds |
Dr. P. G. Boseley | Molecular biologist | Director of Research and Development, Agriculture Genetics Co. Ltd., Cambridge |
Dr. G. M. Schofield | Microbiologist | Project Leader, Expert Systems, Unilever |
Dr. J. Kinderlerer | Biochemist | University of Sheffield |
Ms. J. Hill | Environmentalist | Green Alliance |
Ms. D. Haber | Health and safety | Manufacturing Science and Finance Union |
Mr. P. Hurst | Health and safety | Transport and General Workers Union |
Mr. C. F. Franks | Borough Environmental Health Officer | Brighton |
One other member, an agricultural scientist, is still to be appointed.