9 Jan 2006 : Column 208W—continued

GM Crops

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of (a) departmental expenditure and (b) departmental funding for research was allocated to the development of GM crops in each of the last three years. [40592]

Hilary Benn: The proportion of (a) DFID departmental expenditure and (b) departmental funding for research allocated to the development of GM crops in each of the last three years is as follows:
(a) No departmental expenditure with the exception of research figures below.

(b) Research commissioned by DFID as a proportion of DFID's research budget: 2003–04 0.37 per cent; 2004–05 0.35 per cent.; and for 2005–06 0.23 per cent. (predicted).

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of GM crops on (a) least developed countries and (b) middle income countries. [40594]

Hilary Benn: Our approach to GM crops and their potential impact on developing countries very seriously. Our approach is based on the principle that the health of people and of the environment is of primary concern. We recognise that GM technology in itself will not solve the problem of world hunger. Our assessment of the impact of GM crops is that they can however be used safely and effectively to promote development and reduce poverty, if managed responsibly and applied to those crops on which the poor rely.

DFID does not actively promote or not promote the use of GM technologies in developing countries.

Recognising that there are both potential benefits and risks associated with GM crops, developing countries should be able to make their own informed choices about whether to adopt GM technologies. To this end, DFID has helped fund research into Genetically Modified crops and their potential use in developing countries. The proportion of DFID's research spent on GM crops research has been 0.37 per cent. in 2003–04 and 0.35 per cent. in 2004–05 and is predicted to be 0.23 per cent. for 2005–06. This research has not involved assessing either (a) least developed countries or (b) middle income countries as a whole; projects have looked at more specific issues.

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DFID also worked with the Department for the Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFRA) and other Government Departments to support international negotiations to establish the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Protocol will work to ensure that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of genetically modified organisms. It will also facilitate the exchange of information on living modified organisms even if there is a lack of scientific certainty on the extent of such potential adverse effects.

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Genetically Modified Foods

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated since 1997 into the effects of genetically modified foods on public health. [43954]

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has commissioned research in a number of areas relevant to the safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) foods. This research is undertaken by independent research scientists and the work is peer reviewed before the reports of the research are made publicly available through the FSA's library. Details of the research are published in the annual reports of the FSA's research and surveys programmes and also available on FSA's website at: www.food.gov.uk/science/research/researchinfo/foodcomponentresearch/novelfoodresearch/g01programme/ and at: www.food.gov.uk/science/research/researchinfo/foodcomponentresearch/novelfoodresearch/g02programme/.

GM foods are thoroughly assessed for safety on a case by case basis before they can be authorised in the European Union and this involves scrutiny of the scientific evidence concerning potential risks to human health. In addition, the FSA seeks advice from the advisory committee on novel food and processes on any new information that has implications for the safety of

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GM foods. Details of the advisory committee's evaluations of GM food safety research are available on its website and in its annual reports. The assessments of new GM food products are conducted at EU level by the European Food Safety Authority, which also publishes reports and opinions on the scientific data that it has evaluated.

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GM Crops (Terminator Seeds)

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the impact of Terminator seed technology on the food security and livelihoods of small-scale farmers in developing countries. [50139]

Mr. Thomas: Terminator technology (genetic use restriction technologies or GURTs) involves a wide range of complex issues that are developing rapidly. While the Government monitor the impact of this technology, DFID has not undertaken an assessment of the effects of terminator technology on the food security and livelihoods of small-scale farmers in developing countries.

DFID takes genetic modification (GM) in crops and foods and its potential impacts on poor people, including small-scale farmers, in developing countries very seriously. Our approach is based on the principle that the health of people and their environment is of primary concern. We recognise that GM technology in itself will not solve the problem of world hunger. However, biotechnology has the potential to make a contribution to development and poverty reduction, if managed responsibly and applied to those crops on which the poor rely.

Recognising that there are both potential benefits and risks associated with gene technologies and GM crops, developing countries should be able to make their own informed choices. To this end, DFID worked with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the international community to establish the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, under the UN convention on biological diversity (CBD). The protocol adopts a strong precautionary approach and aims to ensure that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of genetically modified organisms. It also facilitates the exchange of information on living modified organisms and assists countries in the implementation of the protocol. This means that importing countries are able to make a decision to avoid or minimise potential adverse effects of GM organisms, even if the potential extent of such effects is uncertain.

With regard to GURTs, the parties to the CBD decided in 2000, that there should be a precautionary approach to their use while research into the possible impacts of these technologies was carried out. Parties will look to re-affirm this decision at the CBD meeting in March this year. Parties will also discuss the need for further research on the impacts of GURTs and how to share information from these studies.

Sources:
1. United Kingdom Parliament: Written Answers to Questions [9 Jan 2006]. GM crops (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060109/text/60109w51.htm)

2. United Kingdom Parliament: Written Answers to Questions [9 Jan 2006]. Genetically Modified Foods (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060125/text/60125w23.htm - 60125w23.html_sbhd1)

3. United Kingdom Parliament: Written Answers to Questions [13 Feb 2006]. GM Crops (Terminator Seeds) (http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060213/text/60213w14.htm - column_1545)

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