Contributions
806 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Sixth sitting)The hon. Gentleman proposes that we change the substance of the definition of relevant animal from that in 2006 Act to the more recent definition in the 2022 Act. Although we do…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Davies. I thank the hon. Member for Cambridge for his opening statement, which highlighted that Labour is supportive of…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)I believe that the hon. Lady has tabled amendments on that subject, and we will come on to discuss them. In my view, this is part of our responsibility, alongside that of the…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Sixth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms McVey. Amendment 11 would provide for further parliamentary scrutiny on the marketing notice. The amendment is not necessary,…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Amendment 1 would exclude from the definition of a precision bred organism any organism that has contained transgenic material during any step of its development. I thank the hon.…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)It has to go through the regulatory framework to be defined as precision bred, to ensure that any of those precise changes are changes that could have occurred in nature, because…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Yes.05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman for tabling amendment 18, but he will not be surprised to hear that I do not feel that it is necessary. In the case of the measures in clause 22, the…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)During the evidence sessions, we heard from Professor Halford and Professor John Napier, who is developing camelina crops that are high in healthy oils. In both examples that they…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Sixth sitting)I will not disappoint the hon. Gentleman, because I do not agree. The amendment is not needed, because in the context of clause 18 it would not be meaningful. This power does not…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Yes. The hon. Gentleman has said that he will not push amendment 2 to a vote. The amendment focuses on the definition of modern biotechnology. The techniques to which he refers…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)The approach we have taken to regulating genetically modified organisms has not kept pace with scientific progress. The hon. Gentleman referenced the UN’s Cartagena protocol on…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Clause 2 defines “plant” and “animal” for the purposes of the Bill. The definitions in subsections (1) and (2) cover multicellular plants and animals; they do not cover…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Please bear with me as I go through my copious notes. Will the hon. Gentleman repeat what part of the clause he was referring to?05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)The gamete contains only half of the genetic code required to reproduce a whole organism. A whole functioning plant or animal cannot be generated from a gamete and is therefore…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)I am very grateful for the question. As he and I both know, I have learned an awful lot about all these particular things going over all the details. If there is anything further,…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Amendment 32, as I understand it, would embed public interest into the Bill. We are very much aligned with the intentions behind the amendment, and are already undertaking a range…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Sixth sitting)I thank the hon. Gentleman, because animal welfare is close to all our hearts. It is something that this Government—indeed, any Government—need to be cognisant of, and I am proud…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)Well, if they are doing the right thing and our researchers are, too, there is no need for that reassurance in the Bill. Throughout the Bill there is the PBO assessment via ACRE…05 Jul 2022HANSARDGenetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Bill (Fifth sitting)I agree very strongly that we should allow our farmers and fishermen to optimise research, with the appropriate checks and balances, to ensure they can bring to market produce…05 Jul 2022