Seòmar agus comataidhean

No hybrid plants resistant to herbicides have been detected in or adjacent to fields used for farm-scale evaluations in Scotland.

In a Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs funded research project, the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology investigated the level of gene flow between cultivated crops and wild relatives in or adjacent to fields used for the farm-scale evaluations (FSE) of genetically modified crops. Scottish sites were included in this study. The results of the study were recently published. No tests were carried out to establish whether any horizontal gene transfer has taken place from plants to other organisms such as bacteria or fungi.

In a Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs funded research project, the Centre of Ecology and Hydrology investigated the level of gene flow between cultivated crops and wild relatives in or adjacent to fields used for the Farm Scale Evaluations (FSE) of genetically modified crops. Scottish sites were included in this study. The results of the study were recently published. No tests were carried out to establish whether any horizontal gene transfer has taken place from plants to other organisms such as bacteria or fungi.

The consultation paperrefers to a case raised by the European Commission, who do not consider thecurrent definition to fully implement Article 6(1) of the EIA Directive. The UKGovernment received a letter of formal notice, which is the first stage ofproceedings under Article 226 of the Treaty, from the European Commission inOctober 2003. In the letter  the Commission refers, as an example, to ahypothetical development situated in England but close to the Scottish border in order to illustratewhat they see as a potential weakness in the transposition of Directive85/337/EEC with regard to the definition of “consultation bodies”. Consistentwith the approach adopted by the ODPM on this issue, the Executive is proposingthe changes outlined in the above consultation paper as a means of ensuring thedefinition is sufficiently transparent.

Local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the genetically modified organisms (GMO) Traceability and Labelling Regulations and the GM Food and Feed Regulations in Scotland. If an illegal GMO was found in an import of grain Local Authorities are required to inform the Competent Authority. No such reports have been made.

Neither the Scottish Executive nor the Food Standards Agency, which is the UK competent authority for GM foods and feeds, is aware that Bt10 or any other illegally genetically modified organisms has entered the food chain in Scotland either through importation or cultivation.

Neither the Scottish Executive nor the Food Standards Agency, which is the UK competent authority for GM food and feeds, has been alerted to any Bt10 or other illegal genetically modified organisms being imported into Scotland.

Whilst the Executiveencourages public transport operators to improve the performance of theirdrivers in respect of fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, information on anyinitiatives of this nature is not centrally held.

The Executive supports thework that the Sector Skills Council GoSkills does to improve skills andintroduce more passenger-focused training.

Whilst the Executive encourages public transport operators to improve the performance of their drivers in respect of fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, no specific support is provided by the Executive and the main responsibility for these matters rests with individual operators.

The Executive supports the work that the Sector Skills Council GoSkills does to improve skills and introduce more passenger-focused training.

All NHS boards are expected to follow the NHS environmental management policy which includes a section on transport and promotes walking and cycling and the adoption of green travel plans.