To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what discussions she has had with biotech companies about liability in circumstances where genetically modified organisms are (a) proven and (b) suspected of being responsible for adverse human health or environmental outcomes; [122489](2) what assessment she has made of the liability implications of the use of genetically modified organisms upon
(a) Government Departments and (b) the biotech companies which produce GMUs. [122490]
Defra Ministers have not had any discussions with biotechnology companies specifically about liability for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). EU Member States have recently reached political agreement on an environmental liability directive that will cover the deliberate release of GMOs and contained use of microbiological GMOs in respect of damage to European protected species and natural habitat types. In this context, the relevant biotechnology company may be held liable for damage caused by one of its products. We will consider how the directive is to be implemented in the UK when the details have been finalised.The Agricultural and Environment Biotechnology Commission is due to submit a report to Government this summer that explores the issue of liability in relation to GM crops. We will assess the implications of possible further action in this area in the light of that report, including any possible implications for Government Departments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the antibiotics to which marker genes used in the production of genetically modified crops convey resistance, and the veterinary uses of antibiotics. [123450]
[holding answer 3 July 2003]: The following table lists antibiotic resistance marker genes (ARMs) present in genetically modified crops that have been released in the UK for research purposes. It also lists the antibiotics to which the marker genes convey resistance, and gives examples of how the antibiotics may be used in veterinary medicine.
Of the antibiotics listed, kanamycin and hygromycin are not used in veterinary medicine in the UK. The remaining antibiotics—neomycin, ampicillin and amoxvcillin—are used in veterinary medicine in a range
Gene
| Antibiotic
| Veterinary Use (examples)
|
| nptll or neo | Kanamycin | Not licensed in the UK |
| Neomycin | Treatment of bacterial skin infections, including dermatitis and eczema in cats and dogs. | |
| Treatment of enteritis in pigs and poultry. | ||
| Bla | Ampicillin | Treatment of bacterial infections in cattle, pigs and sheep. Treatment of mastitis in cattle |
| Amoxycillin | Treatment of bacterial infections in cats and dogs. Treatment of respiratory and urogenital tract infection in cattle, pigs and sheep | |
| Hptll | Hygromycin | Not licensed in the UK |
The nptll gene is present in some GM crops already licensed for placing on the market in the EU.
Applications to release or market genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the EU are subject to rigorous scrutiny and risk assessment under European Directive 2001/18. The Directive requires that GMOs containing ARMs are subject to a particularly high degree of scrutiny and if such a GMO was considered to have adverse effects on the environment it would not be authorised. This includes consideration of the implications for both human and veterinary medicines.
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many completed feedback forms have been received from the GM Nation website. [124605]
[holding answer 9 July 2003]: As of 9 a.m. on 8 July 10,600 feedback forms had been completed via the GM Nation website.