The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) (Scotland) Regulations 2002

Duties of the Scottish Ministers in relation to applications for consent to release

20.  Following receipt of an application for consent to release genetically modified organisms the Scottish Ministers shall–

(a) inform the applicant in writing of the date of receipt of the application;

(b) invite any person by means of a request placed on the register, to make representations in writing to the Scottish Ministers relating to any risks of damage being caused to the environment(1) by the release before the end of a period to be specified which shall not be less than sixty days from the date the application was received by the Scottish Ministers;

(c) ensure that within thirty days of the date that the application was received by them a summary of that application in the format established by the Commission under Articles 11(1) and 30(2) of the Deliberate Release Directive is forwarded to the Commission;

(d) examine the application for its conformity with the requirements of the Act and of these Regulations;

(e) evaluate the risks of damage being caused to the environment by the proposed release having regard to the environmental risk assessment prepared in accordance with regulation 6; and

(f) take into account and give due weight to–

(i) any representations made to them before the end of the period specified in paragraph (b) relating to risks of damage being caused to the environment by the release; and

(ii) any comments made by the competent authority or authorities of other Member States following the circulation to them by the Commission of the summary referred to in paragraph (c).

(1)

As defined in section 107(2), (3) and (6) of the Act as amended by regulation 4(2) to (4).