House of Commons - Advanced genetic techniques for crop improvement: regulation, risk and precaution

Science and Technology Committee - Fifth Report
Advanced genetic techniques for crop improvement: regulation, risk and precaution

Here you can browse the report together with the Proceedings of the Committee. The published report was ordered by the House of Commons to be printed 11 February 2015.

Contents

Terms of Reference

Summary

1 Introduction

Background

Our inquiry

2 Genetic crop improvement: approaches and applications

Genetic crop improvement

Advanced genetic techniques

'First generation' products and techniques

'Second generation' products and techniques

Terminology

3 The role of advanced genetic techniques in agricultural innovation

National policy on the use of advanced genetic techniques

UK policy

Devolved policy

The global potential of advanced genetic techniques

Steering agricultural innovation

Resource allocation

Intellectual property rights

Framing

Conclusions: Keeping our options open

4 EU regulatory environment for genetically modified organisms

EU GMO regulation

The precautionary principle

Is the current regulatory system fit for purpose?

Issues of regulatory design

1. Regulatory trigger

2. Consideration of risks and potential benefits3. National versus collective decision-making

Recent developments

Conclusion: the need for regulatory reform

5 Precaution, risk and uncertainty

EU GMO regulation: a misuse of the precautionary principle?

Responding to uncertainty

Government use and interpretation of the precautionary principle

6 Public information and discourse

Public debate and 'GM': a brief history

Initiating a new debate

Public information

Incorporating public views into policy

Conclusions and recommendations

Formal Minutes

Witnesses

Published written evidence

List of Reports from the Committee during the current Parliament