House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 22 Feb 2000 (pt 20)

Antibiotic Marker Genes

Joan Ruddock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, that have been used in the genetic modification of plant crops, listing the crops that have been released for research purposes in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the EU, in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [108623]

Mr. Meacher: Antibiotic resistance genes are included in some (but not all) GM plants to help identify them in the research and development phase of their production. The Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment has considered the risks posed to the environment by antibiotic resistance genes. It was the Committee's view that, of the ones approved for release, there is little or no evidence that antibiotic resistance genes can escape from crop plants under field conditions, but even if it did happen it would not cause environmental harm, or add

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significantly to the total amount of resistance already widespread in the environment, compared to other uses in medicine and agriculture.

The table lists the antibiotic marker genes, and the antibiotics to which they convey resistance, used in genetic modification of crops for research releases in the United Kingdom during the past five years.

Gene Antibiotic

nptII or neo Aminoglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin, and neomycin

Aad Streptomycin and spectinomycin

Bla Narrow spectrum lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin

Hpt Hygromycin

Gene	Antibiotic
nptII or neo	Aminoglycoside antibiotics including kanamycin, and neomycin
Aad	Streptomycin and spectinomycin
Bla	Narrow spectrum lactam antibiotics such as ampicillin and amoxycillin
Hpt	Hygromycin

I have today placed in the House Library details of the specification of modified crops including antibiotic marker genes that have been released in the UK for research purposes over the last five years.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC), through its Institute for Health and Consumer Protection, collate and distribute to member states, Norway and Iceland a summary of each part B (research and development) application received in the EU. In excess of 1,000 (approx.) crops containing antibiotic marker genes have been released for research purposes in the EU in the last five years. To provide information on each crop through this PQ would involve a disproportionate cost because member states have direct control over the licensing the release of GM crops in their own territory. Each member state would therefore need to be contacted individually to clarify the information.

Planning Applications

Mr. Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what has been the average time taken between a planning inspector submitting his report to ministers and a decision being taken by ministers in each of the last three years. [110229]

Ms Beverley Hughes: The information is as follows:

Weeks

Call ins Recovered Appeals

1997 21 19

1998 20 20

1999 21 21

	Weeks
	Call ins	Recovered Appeals
1997	21	19
1998	20	20
1999	21	21

Called-in and recovered appeal cases, by their nature, tend to raise issues which often need further consideration within the Department before decisions can be taken.

Sir Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many planning applications he called in for decision in each of the last 10 years. [111526]

Mr. Raynsford: The figures are as follows:

Number

1989-90 103

1990-91 132

1991-92 140

1992-93 101

1993-94 99

1994-95 167

1995-96 144

1996-97 139

1997-98 147

1998-99 138

	Number
1989-90	103
1990-91	132
1991-92	140
1992-93	101
1993-94	99
1994-95	167
1995-96	144
1996-97	139
1997-98	147
1998-99	138

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Sir Sydney Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the outstanding planning applications which he has called in for decision. [111527]