| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
HIV
Dr. Strang:
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the anonymised programme of HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland, setting out for each survey currently in operation or planned (a) the location, (b) the targeted populations, (c) the clinical reasons for initial collection
26 Apr 1999 : Column: 41
of specimens, (d) the number of specimen collection venues, (e) the annual specimen numbers, (f) the most recent prevalence data, (g) whether the consent of those tested was sought for entry into the survey and (h) whether those tested were informed that they were to be entered into the survey. [81615]
(a) and (d) The anonymised programme of HIV surveillance in Northern Ireland is carried out exclusively at the Genito-urinary Medicine Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast.
(b) The targeted population is all new attendees at the clinic.
(c) Genito-urinary clinic attendees have a syphilis serology test or presenting with a new sexually transmitted disease for the first time in a calender quarter are eligible for entry into the survey.
(c) and (f) The data requested are set out in the table.
(g) and (h) The programme of unlinked anonymous testing for HIV as introduced in the UK in accordance with World Health Organisation guidelines for its global programme on AIDS on the basis that specific informed consent is not required. However, attendees are given an explanatory leaflet which makes it clear that all identification will be removed from the sample and they can elect not to have their sample tested. Posters explaining the position are also displayed in the clinic.
| Sexual | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| orientation | No | %+ve | No | %+ve | No | %+ve |
| Homo/Bisexual (Male) | 137 | 2.92 | 125 | 4.80 | 144 | 4.17 |
| Heterosexual (Male) | 1,921 | 0.05 | 1,973 | 0.10 | 2,108 | 0.09 |
| Heterosexual (Female) | 1,677 | 0.00 | 1,833 | 0.05 | 1,707 | 0.06 |
AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD
Genetically Modified Foods
Mr. Maclean: To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much has been spent by the Government on researching genetically modified foods in each of the last 10 years; and if he will list the projects undertaken. [81923]
Mr. Rooker [holding answer 23 April 1999]: The Government have spent the amounts listed in the table in each of the last 10 years on research to underpin the safety assessment of genetically modified foods.
| Year | £000 |
|---|---|
| 1989-90 | 0 |
| 1990-91 | 0 |
| 1991-92 | 0 |
| 1992-93 | 23 |
| 1993-94 | 95 |
| 1994-95 | 361 |
| 1995-96 | 646 |
| 1996-97 | 569 |
| 1997-98 | 709 |
| 1998-99 | 814 |
The project titles are as follows.
26 Apr 1999 : Column: 42
Tagging genetically engineered organisms.
Development of new methods for safety evaluation of transgenic crops.
Honey from genetically modified plants: integrity of pollen DNA, and expression of promoters in floral organs.
Genetically modified organisms in food-evaluation of in vitro and in vivo models for assessing DNA transfer in gut.
Detection of genetically modified organisms in foods.
A model system for the quantitative analysis of horizontal spread of DNA from genetically engineered microorganisms GIT.
Potential for gene transfer between manipulated bacteria and the resident microflora of the human gut.
A model system for the quantitative analysis of horizontal spread of DNA from genetically engineered microorganisms.
Regulation and targeting of transgene expression in fruit crops.
Causes of instability in transgenic plants.
Safety of recombinant DNA technology: gene location, marker elimination and secondary effect.
A database of novel foods and food products cleared in countries other than the UK.
Genes that have been introduced by genetic modification into crop plants intended for food use.
The effect of agriculturally-relevant environmental factors on the expression and stability of genes affecting wheat lip.
Survival of DNA in the gut and the potential for genetic transformation of resident bacteria.
Evaluating the risks associated with using GMOs in human foods.
Impact of transformation methods, construct and gene cassette architecture on the stability and expression of transgenes.
Assessment of the risks of transferring antibiotic resistance--determinants from transgenic plants to micro-organisms.
Dissemination of GM DNA and antibiotic resistance genes via rumen microorganisms.
Risk of gene transfer from genetically modified crop plants to gut bacteria.
Mr. Gale:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the safety of imported genetically modified ingredients reportedly used in the production of (a) pot noodles and (b) other food products on sale in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [72001]
Causes and consequences of pathogen induced transgene instability.
Analytical methods for the detection of genetically modified foods--current and future developments.
Implications of secondary metabolites produced in response to biotic and abiotic stress by GM potatoes.
Survey of analytical techniques available and under development for long term monitoring of FS of GMOs and their products.
Gene expression in anthers and nectaries of transgenic plants.
The stability of expression and inheritance of transgenes in brassica.
Development of methods to predict the allergenic potential of genetically modified foods.
Development an in vitro screening method for allergens in novel foods.
Adverse reactions to food.
Mr. Rooker
[holding answer 22 February 1999]: The safety of all GM food ingredients permitted for use in foods on sale in the UK has been thoroughly assessed by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes and judged to be as safe as those from their non GM equivalents.
26 Apr 1999 : Column: 43
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he takes to ensure that novel foods for which patents are granted cannot then be classified as substantially equivalent, and vice versa. [72569]
Mr. Rooker
[holding answer 22 February 1999]: Substantial equivalence is a concept related to the safety assessment of novel foods and has no link to the patenting of such foods.
Mr. Mitchell:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he received the first draft of the Novel Foods Directive from the Commission of the European Community; what response he made and what interests he consulted; when signed explanatory memoranda were placed in the Vote Office; and what plans he has to make representations to the Commission of the European Union concerning the terms of the Directive. [72205]
Mr. Rooker
[holding answer 22 February 1999]: I assume my hon. Friend is referring to the EC Novel Foods and Novel Food Ingredients Regulation 258/97 adopted on 27 January 1997. The proposed regulation was received, negotiated and adopted by the previous Administration and I have no access to the related papers. The regulation is due for review in 2002.
Mrs. Browning:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish the 1998-99 figures for milk purchasers notified by the Intervention Board. [81965]
Mr. Rooker
[holding answer 23 April 1999]: The Intervention Board published provisional milk purchase figures for 1998-99 in its Notice to Traders No. MQ 12/98 dated 9 April 1999. Provisional cumulative butterfat-adjusted purchases totalled 13,951.6 million litres. This figure is subject to verification and subsequent confirmation.
Mrs. Browning:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received about overstated milk purchasers notified to the Intervention Board for 1998-99. [81966]
Mr. Rooker
[holding answer 23 April 1999]: The Intervention Board has received a number of representations from producers and their representatives about milk production statistics and is in discussion with the industry through the Milk Quotas Experts Group. The Intervention Board relies on over 100 milk purchasers to supply production figures. As has been explained to the industry, these figures are provisional and subject to confirmation. They are not a proxy for the calculation of the 1998-99 milk levy which will be based on annual returns to be submitted by purchasers.
Mr. Coaker:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress is being made with efforts to support British pig farmers; and if he will make a statement. [82205]
26 Apr 1999 : Column: 44
Mr. Rooker:
The present situation remains serious for pig farmers, with prices still unstable and below the costs of production. Nevertheless, the average all-pigs price has shown a 26 per cent. improvement since its low point in January. European Commission figures indicate that current UK pig prices are 20 per cent. higher than the EU average, and higher than in any member state except Luxembourg. Whether the present gap between UK and EU prices will be sustainable is difficult to judge, but the fact that it exists at all is due, at least in part, to the emphasis on high animal welfare and other standards.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |