asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food should adopt the precautionary principle in cases where clear-cut evidence about the safety of food products is not available and cannot be obtained.

The Government already follow the precautionary principle in relation to the safety of food products. They require evidence of safety when a novel food is produced or when a new substance is added in the course of food production. If prima facie evidence is found of a new risk in established foods, the Government take action which leaves a significant margin of safety.