1st Report - Genetically Modified Insects

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government agrees on some points, such as international guidance and monitoring developments, but does not think it is "necessary or would be appropriate" to commission a GM insect trial "at the present time".

• On international guidance, the government "agrees that it is important to provide international leadership", and says it "will continue to play an active role" in the Cartagena Protocol forum.
• On annual progress reports on the EU regime, the government "does not believe that this is an appropriate area", and instead proposes updates "as and when there are significant developments to report".
• On including benefits in regulation, the government "recognises the force" of the argument but says it could make the EU regime "more complex, burdensome and subjective", and says decisions should be science-based.
• On public dialogue, the government "will keep under review" holding one when GM insect technologies are near commercialisation, and says it "would not propose to open up the existing regime for public debate".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error