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Genetically Modified Organisms

Volume 468: debated on Monday 26 November 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy to assess whether there is a requirement to amend (a) UK and (b) EU legislation on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), to take account of genetic use restriction technologies and to ensure it is in compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity decision V/5. (166752)

The provisions of the current EU regulatory regime are in compliance with decision V/5 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This decision recommends that products incorporating gene use restriction technologies should not be approved for field testing until justified by appropriate scientific data. Such products for commercial use should not be approved until appropriate authorised and strictly controlled scientific assessments, with regard to ecological and socio-economic impacts and any adverse effects for biological diversity, food security and human health, have been carried out in a transparent manner and the conditions for their safe and beneficial use validated.