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Genetically Modified Fish

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) likelihood of interbreeding of genetically modified fish and wild fish and (b) environmental consequences of such interbreeding, with particular reference to salmon. [8001]

Mr. Meacher [holding answer 15 October 2001]: It is likely that fertile genetically modified (GM) fish released into the environment would interbreed with the local wild population of the same species. The environmental consequences would depend on the individual circumstances.

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The likelihood of environmental consequences is the rationale behind the European Regulatory regime, which prohibits releases of genetically modified organisms into the environment. Directive 90/220 requires that anyone wanting to release genetically modified organisms in any country in the EU must have prior approval subject to a detailed risk assessment. Approval cannot be granted unless the applicant can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the regulatory authorities that all appropriate measures have been taken to avoid adverse effects on human health and the environment. Each application is considered on a case by case basis taking account of specific circumstances in each individual case; it is not possible to generalise.

In the case of a proposal to release GM salmon the likelihood of interbreeding with the wild population is one of the factors which would be assessed. It is difficult to envisage approval being granted where the possibility of interbreeding with wild stock exists.

Sellafield

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) if she will make a statement on the environmental implications of the manufacture of MOX fuel at Sellafield; [9928]

(2) what conclusions her Department has reached about objections raised by (a) the Irish Government and (b) others to the MOX plant at Sellafield; [9929]

(3) what (a) risk assessment and (b) additional consideration her Department has given to the risk of suicide terrorist attacks on shipments of plutonium since 11 September; [9931]

Margaret Beckett: The Secretary of State for Health and I decided on 3 October that MOX manufacture is justified under the Basic Safety Standards Directive. We took account of all relevant issues up to that date, including environmental and security considerations and the views of the Irish Government and others who responded to five consultation exercises over five years. A copy of our decision is in the Library, including a summary of environmental, security and other main considerations taken into account. Paragraphs 56–64 and 67–70 of the decision document and paragraphs 6–14 and 25–33 of Annexe 1 describe these issues in detail. We sought the advice of agencies responsible for safety and security issues, including the Office for Civil Nuclear Security which, as the decision document makes clear, took account of the terrorist attacks on 11 September.

Timber Products (Public Sector Procurement)

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice the Cabinet Office gives to (a) Government Departments and (b) public sector procurement directors about the purchase of office furniture which has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. [16462]

Mr. Morley: Giving advice to Government Departments on environmental procurement matters is the joint responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Office of Government Commerce.

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Central Government Departments were formally reminded of the Government's policy to procure timber and timber related products from sustainable and legal sources in a Note dated 2 January 2001 from the then Department for the Environment, Transport and the Regions sent to heads of procurement under cover of a Note from the Office of Government Commerce. In that note attention was drawn to advice on the DETR website—now maintained by DEFRA. Central Government have not given advice on this subject directly to other public sector procurement directors but the Government's advice is widely available and can be adapted or adopted by any other organisation.

Central Government buyers are advised to specify in orders and contracts that suppliers provide documentary evidence, which has been, or can be, independently verified, that the timber has been lawfully obtained from forests and plantations managed to sustain their biodiversity, productivity and vitality and to prevent harm to other ecosystems and any indigenous or forest dependent people. When verifying the credibility of suppliers' claims buyers are not advised to consider any particular scheme in preference to other schemes. Buyers have been advised, by way of the statement made by the Minister for the Environment to Parliament on 28 July 2000, that the Forest Stewardship Council is an example of a body that sets independent standards for sustainable forestry and a means for verifying the source of timber purchased.

DEFRA has commissioned a study of central Government's timber procurement requirements with a view to producing further advice to buyers.

Foxhunting

Mr. Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she received the risk assessment of restarting foxhunting; and if she will publish it. [10003]

Alun Michael [holding answer 25 October 2001]: The Veterinary Risk Assessment for hunting was submitted in mid-September in the light of the foot and mouth disease classification of counties for autumn movements. Since then, Ministers and officials have monitored the disease picture closely and have been considering the detail of how any relaxation of foot and mouth disease controls on hunting would be implemented. The Veterinary Risk Assessment and our decision based on it were published on 15 November 2001 and have been placed in the Vote Office and in the Library of the House.

Lembit Öpik: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what individuals and organisations have been consulted during the compiling of the Veterinary Risk Assessment report on hunting; and if she will make a statement. [12022]

Alun Michael: Officials from the Department have met a range of organisations including the Countryside Alliance, the League against Cruel Sports and the Masters of Foxhounds Association regarding the possible relaxation of foot and mouth disease controls over hunting.

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Badgers

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the illegal killing of badgers. [16199]

Mr. Morley: This Government deplore the illegal killing of badgers. The principal legislation protecting the welfare of badgers is the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. Under the 1992 Act it is an offence to kill, take or dig for a badger, or attempt to do so, except under licence or in certain particular circumstances, or to injure one or attempt to do so. The maximum penalty for an offence under the 1992 Act is a fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months' imprisonment.

The level of protection for badgers is unique for an unendangered animal and reflects the concern which is felt by Parliament about the gratuitous acts for cruelty to which badgers have been subjected to all too often in the past.

Flooding

Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice her Department is issuing to householders who face repeated flooding on (a) protecting and (b) insuring their properties; and if she will make a statement. [16452]

Mr. Morley: Guidance on protecting properties is available from the Environment Agency's Floodline Service and on the agency's website.

As regards flood insurance, it is clearly in householders' interests to ensure that their policies provide suitable cover against flooding. The Government maintain close links with the insurance industry to help ensure continued availability of affordable flood cover. Together with the flood defence operating authorities, we are reducing the risk of flooding and are communicating this to the industry. However, it must be recognised that insurance companies need to take a commercial decision as to what risk they will cover and on what terms. Also, the insurance industry is a competitive one and customers may need to shop around to obtain the best deal.

The agreement among Association of British Insurers (ABI) member companies is that they will continue to provide flood cover, except in exceptional circumstances, for domestic properties and small businesses which they currently insure, during 2001 and 2002. Cases where there is an alleged breach of this agreement have been referred by DEFRA to the ABI for investigation.

My hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and I met the ABI on 5 September to discuss our mutual aim of ensuring that affordable flood insurance cover continues to be generally available after December 2002. Further discussions between official have taken place.

In relation to the concerns expressed by the ABI, the Government are acting to reduce flood risk, through substantial increases in investment in flood and coastal defence (which now totals over £400 million a year). Flood defences are being repaired, renewed, maintained and improved. Flood warning arrangements are continually being improved. The Government have issued strengthened guidance to local planning authorities on

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control of development in flood risk areas, and are reviewing the financial and institutional arrangements under which the flood defence service is delivered.

Mr. Love: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what additional funding she will make available to assist local authorities with the cost of sandbags, water pumps and other items in relation to flooding and flood defences in the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement. [16451]

Mr. Morley: The flood defence service is provided by the Environment Agency, internal drainage boards and local authorities. It is funded by a combination of grant from DEFRA towards approved capital schemes and Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions funding delivered through the local government financial mechanisms.

Total Government funding is set to increase from some £377 million this year to £394 million in 2002–03. The great majority of this funding is used to provide new flood defences, maintain and improve existing defences and watercourses, and provide flood warning schemes, though such funding may also be used to provide additional sandbags and pumping equipment.

Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what representations she has received from owners of properties that were flooded last year for the first time and have been designated by insurance companies as at risk; [16568]

(2) what measures she has taken to assist homeowners whose houses are not on flood plains but who have been flooded in the last year who are required to pay the same insurance premiums as those homeowners who are; [16567]

(3) if she will encourage insurance companies not to charge excessive premiums to homeowners who possess properties at risk from flooding. [16569]

Mr. Morley: The Government maintain close links with the insurance industry to help continued availability of affordable flood cover. Together with the flood defence operating authorities, we are reducing the risk of flooding and are communicating this to the industry. However, it must be recognised that insurance companies need to take a commercial decision as to what risk they will cover and on what terms. Also, the insurance industry is a competitive one and customers may need to shop around to obtain the best deal.

The agreement among Association of British Insurers (ABI) member companies is that they will continue to provide flood cover, except in exceptional circumstances, for domestic properties and small businesses which they currently insure, during 2001 and 2002. Cases where there is an alleged breach of this agreement have been referred by DEFRA to the ABI for investigation.

My hon. Friend the Economic Secretary to the Treasury and I met the ABI on 5 September to discuss our mutual aim of ensuring that affordable flood insurance cover continues to be generally available after December 2002. Further discussions between officials have taken place.

In relation to the concerns expressed by the ABI, the Government are acting to reduce flood risk, through substantial increases in investment in flood and coastal defence (which now totals over £400 million a year).

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Flood defences are being repaired, renewed, maintained and improved. Flood warning arrangements are continually being improved. The Government have issued strengthened guidance to local planning authorities on control of development in flood risk areas, and are reviewing the financial and institutional arrangements under which the flood defence service is delivered.

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