Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002

Regulations 11 and 16

SCHEDULE 1 Information to be included in applications for consent to release or market genetically modified higher plants

PART I General Information

1.  The name and address of the applicant, and the name, qualifications and experience of the scientist and of every other person who will be responsible for planning and carrying out the release of the organisms, and for the supervision, monitoring and safety of the release.

2.  The title of the project.

PART II Information relating to the parental or recipient plant

3.  The full name of the plant—

(a) family name,

(b) genus,

(c) species,

(d) subspecies,

(e) cultivar/breeding line,

(f) common name.

4.  Information concerning—

(a) the reproduction of the plant:

(i) the mode or modes of reproduction,

(ii) any specific factors affecting reproduction,

(iii) generation time; and

(b) the sexual compatibility of the plant with other cultivated or wild plant species, including the distribution in Europe of the compatible species.

5.  Information concerning the survivability of the plant:

(a) its ability to form structures for survival or dormancy,

(b) any specific factors affecting survivability.

6.  Information concerning the dissemination of the plant:

(a) the means and extent (such as an estimation of how viable pollen and/or seeds decline with distance where applicable) of dissemination; and

(b) any specific factors affecting dissemination.

7.  The geographical distribution of the plant.

8.  Where the application relates to a plant species which is not normally grown in the United Kingdom, a description of the natural habitat of the plant, including information on natural predators, parasites, competitors and symbionts.

9.  Any other potential interactions, relevant to the genetically modified organism, of the plant with organisms in the ecosystem where it is usually grown, or elsewhere, including information on toxic effects on humans, animals and other organisms.

PART III Information relating to the genetic modification

10.  A description of the methods used for the genetic modification.

11.  The nature and source of the vector used.

12.  The size, intended function and name of the donor organism or organisms of each constituent fragment of the region intended for insertion.

PART IV Information relating to the genetically modified plant

13.  A description of the trait or traits and characteristics of the genetically modified plant which have been introduced or modified.

14.  The following information on the sequences actually inserted or deleted:

(a) the size and structure of the insert and methods used for its characterisation, including information on any parts of the vector introduced into the genetically modified plant or any carrier or foreign DNA remaining in the genetically modified plant,

(b) the size and function of the deleted region or regions,

(c) the copy number of the insert, and

(d) the location or locations of the insert or inserts in the plant cells (whether it is integrated in the chromosome, chloroplasts, mitochondria, or maintained in a non-integrated form) and the methods for its determination.

15.  The following information on the expression of the insert—

(a) information on the developmental expression of the insert during the lifecycle of the plant and methods used for its characterisation,

(b) the parts of the plant where the insert is expressed, such as roots, stem or pollen.

16.  Information on how the genetically modified plant differs from the parental or recipient plant in the following respects—

(a) mode or modes and/or the rate of reproduction,

(b) dissemination,

(c) survivability.

17.  The genetic stability of the insert and phenotypic stability of the genetically modified plant.

18.  Any change to the ability of the genetically modified plant to transfer genetic material to other organisms.

19.  Information on any toxic, allergenic or other harmful effects on human health arising from the genetic modification.

20.  Information on the safety of the genetically modified plant to animal health, particularly regarding any toxic, allergenic or other harmful effects arising from the genetic modification, where the genetically modified plant is intended to be used in animal feeding stuffs.

21.  The mechanism of interaction between the genetically modified plant and target organisms, if applicable.

22.  The potential changes in the interactions of the genetically modified plant with non-target organisms resulting from the genetic modification.

23.  The potential interactions with the abiotic environment.

24.  A description of detection and identification techniques for the genetically modified plant.

25.  Information about previous releases of the genetically modified plant, if applicable.

PART V Information relating to the site of release

(Applications for consent to release only)

26.  The location and size of the release site or sites.

27.  A description of the release site ecosystem, including climate, flora and fauna.

28.  Details of any sexually compatible wild relatives or cultivated plant species present at the release sites.

29.  The proximity of the release sites to officially recognised biotopes or protected areas which may be affected.

PART VI Information relating to the release

(Applications for consent to release only)

30.  The purpose of the release of the genetically modified plant, including its initial use and any intention to use it as or in a product in the future.

31.  The foreseen date or dates and duration of the release.

32.  The method by which the genetically modified plants will be released.

33.  The method for preparing and managing the release site, prior to, during and after the release, including cultivation practices and harvesting methods.

34.  The approximate number of genetically modified plants (or plants per square metre) to be released.

PART VII Information on control, monitoring, post-release and waste treatment plans

(Applications for consent to release only)

35.  A description of any precautions to—

(a) maintain the genetically modified plant at a distance from sexually compatible plant species, both wild relatives and crops.

(b) any measures to minimise or prevent dispersal of any reproductive organ of the genetically modified plant (such as pollen, seeds, tuber).

36.  A description of the methods for post-release treatment of the site or sites.

37.  A description of the post-release treatment methods for the genetically modified plant material including wastes.

38.  A description of monitoring plans and techniques.

39.  A description of any emergency plans.

40.  Methods and procedures to protect the site.

PART VIII Information on methodology

41.  A description of the methods used or a reference to standardised or internationally recognised methods used to compile the information required by this Schedule, and the name of the body or bodies responsible for carrying out the studies.

Regulations 11 and 16

SCHEDULE 2 Information to be included in applications for consent to release or market organisms other than genetically modified higher plants

PART I General information

1.  The name and address of the applicant, and the name, qualifications and experience of the scientist and of every other person who will be responsible for planning and carrying out the release of the organisms, and for the supervision, monitoring and safety of the release.

2.  The title of the project.

PART II Information relating to the organisms

Characteristics of donor, parental and recipient organisms

3.  Scientific name and taxonomy.

4.  Usual strain, cultivar or other name.

5.  Phenotypic and genetic markers.

6.  The degree of relatedness between donor and recipient or between parental organisms.

7.  The description of identification and detection techniques.

8.  The sensitivity, reliability (in quantitative terms) and specificity of detection and identification techniques.

9.  The description of the geographic distribution and of the natural habitat of the organisms including information on natural predators, prey, parasites and competitors, symbionts and hosts.

10.  The organisms with which transfer of genetic material is known to occur under natural conditions.

11.  Verification of the genetic stability of the organisms and factors affecting that stability.

12.  The following pathological, ecological and physiological traits—

(a) the classification of hazard according to existing Community rules concerning the protection of human health and the environment;

(b) the generation time in natural ecosystems and the sexual and asexual reproductive cycle;

(c) information on survivability, including seasonability and the ability to form survival structures, including seeds, spores and sclerotia;

(d) pathogenicity, including infectivity, toxigenicity, virulence, allergenicity, ability to act as a carrier (vector) of pathogen, possible vectors, host range including non-target organisms and possible activation of latent viruses (proviruses) and ability to colonise other organisms;

(e) antibiotic resistance, and potential use of these antibiotics in humans and domestic organisms for prophylaxis and therapy;

(f) involvement in environmental processes, including primary production, nutrient turnover, decomposition of organic matter and respiration.

13.  The sequence, frequency of mobilisation and specificity of indigenous vectors, and the presence in those vectors of genes which confer resistance to environmental stresses.

14.  The history of previous genetic modifications.

Characteristics of the vector

15.  The nature and source of the vector.

16.  The sequence of transposons, vectors and other non-coding genetic segments used to construct the genetically modified organisms and to make the introduced vector and insert functions in those organisms.

17.  The frequency of mobilisation, genetic transfer capabilities and/or methods of determination of the inserted vector.

18.  The degree to which the vector is limited to the DNA required to perform the intended function.

Characteristics of the modified organisms

19.  The methods used for the modification.

20.  The methods used—

(a) to construct the insert or inserts and to introduce it or them into the recipient organism;

(b) to delete a sequence.

21.  The description of any insert and/or vector construction.

22.  The purity of the insert from any unknown sequence and information on the degree to which the inserted sequence is limited to the DNA required to perform the intended function.

23.  The methods and criteria used for selection;

24.  The sequence, functional identity and location of the altered, inserted or deleted nucleic acid segment or segments in question, and in particular any known harmful sequence.

Characteristics of the genetically modified organisms in their final form

25.  The description of genetic trait or traits or phenotypic characteristics and in particular any new traits and characteristics which may be expressed or no longer expressed.

26.  The structure and amount of any vector or donor nucleic acid remaining in the final construction of the modified organisms.

27.  The stability of the organisms in terms of genetic traits.

28.  The rate and level of expression of the new genetic material in the organisms, and the method and sensitivity of measurement of that rate and level.

29.  The activity of the gene product.

30.  The description of identification and detection techniques, including techniques for the identification and detection of the inserted sequence and vector.

31.  The sensitivity, reliability (in quantitative terms), and specificity of detection and identification techniques.

32.  The history of previous releases or uses of the organisms.

33.  In relation to human health, animal health and plant health—

(a) the toxic or allergenic effects of the organisms and/or their metabolic products,

(b) the comparison of the organisms to the donor, recipient or (where appropriate) parental organisms regarding pathogenicity,

(c) the capacity of the organisms for colonisation, and

(d) if the organisms are pathogenic to humans who are immunocompetent—

(i) diseases caused and mechanism of pathogenicity including invasiveness and virulence,

(ii) communicability,

(iii) infective dose,

(iv) host range and possibility of alteration,

(v) possibility of survival outside of human host,

(vi) presence of vectors or means of dissemination,

(vii) biological stability,

(viii) antibiotic resistance patterns,

(ix) allergenicity, and

(x) availability of appropriate therapies.

(e) the other product hazards.

PART III Information relating to the conditions of release

The release

34.  The description of the proposed deliberate release, including the initial purpose or purposes of the release and any intention to use the genetically modified organism as or in a product in the future.

35.  The intended dates of the release and time planning of the experiment including frequency and duration of releases.

36.  The preparation of the site before the release.

37.  The size of the site.

38.  The method or methods to be used for the release.

39.  The quantity of organisms to be released.

40.  The disturbance on the site, including the type and method of cultivation, and mining, irrigation or other activities.

41.  The worker protection measures taken during the release.

42.  The post-release treatment of the site.

43.  The techniques foreseen for elimination or inactivation of the organisms at the end of the experiment or other purpose of the release.

44.  Information on, and the results of, previous releases of the organisms, and in particular, releases on a different scale or into different ecosystems.

The environment (both on the site and in the wider environment)

45.  The geographical location and national grid reference of the site or sites on to which the release will be made, or the foreseen areas of use of the product.

46.  The physical or biological proximity of the site of the organisms to humans and other significant biota.

47.  The proximity to significant biotopes, protected areas or drinking water supplies.

48.  The climatic characteristics of the region or regions likely to be affected.

49.  The geographical, geological and pedological characteristics.

50.  The flora and fauna, including crops, livestock and migratory species.

51.  The description of the target and non-target ecosystems likely to be affected.

52.  The comparison of the natural habitat of the recipient organisms with the proposed site or sites of release.

53.  Any known planned developments or changes in land use in the region which could influence the environmental impact of the release.

PART IV Information relating to the interactions between the organisms and the environment

Characteristics affecting survival, multiplication and dissemination

54.  The biological features which affect survival, multiplication and dispersal.

55.  The known or predicted environmental conditions which may affect survival, multiplication and dissemination, including wind, water, soil, temperature and pH.

56.  The sensitivity to specific agents.

Interactions with the environment

57.  The predicted habitat of the organisms.

58.  The studies on the behaviour and characteristics of the organisms and their ecological impact carried out in simulated natural environments, such as microcosms, growth rooms and greenhouses.

59.  The capability of post-release transfer of genetic material—

(a) from the genetically modified organisms into organisms in affected ecosystems,

(b) from indigenous organisms to the genetically modified organisms.

60.  The likelihood of post-release selection leading to the expression of unexpected and/or undesirable traits in the genetically modified organisms.

61.  The measures employed to ensure and to verify genetic stability, the description of genetic traits which may prevent or minimise dispersal of genetic material, and methods to verify genetic stability.

62.  The routes of biological dispersal, known or potential modes of interaction with the disseminating agent, including inhalation, ingestion, surface contact and burrowing.

63.  The description of ecosystems to which the organisms could be disseminated.

64.  The potential for excessive population increase of the organisms in the environment.

65.  The competitive advantage of the organisms in relation to the unmodified recipient or parental organism or organisms.

66.  The identification and description of the target organisms if applicable.

67.  The anticipated mechanism and result of interaction between the released organisms and the target organisms, if applicable.

68.  The identification and description of non-target organisms which may be adversely affected by the release of the genetically modified organisms, and the anticipated mechanisms of any identified adverse interaction.

69  The likelihood of post release shifts in biological interactions or in the host range.

70.  The known or predicted interactions with non-target organisms in the environment, including competitors, preys, hosts, symbionts, predators, parasites and pathogens.

71.  The known or predicted involvement of the organisms in biogeochemical processes.

72.  Any other potential interactions of the organisms with the environment.

PART V Information on monitoring, control, waste treatment and emergency response plans

Monitoring techniques

73.  Methods for tracing the organisms and for monitoring their effects.

74.  Specificity (to identify the organisms, and to distinguish them from the donor, recipient or, where appropriate, the parental organisms), sensitivity and reliability of the monitoring techniques.

75.  Techniques for detecting transfer of the donated genetic material to other organisms.

76.  Duration and frequency of the monitoring.

Control of the release

77.  Methods and procedures to avoid and/or minimise the spread of the organisms beyond the site of release or the designated area for use.

78.  Methods and procedures to protect the site from intrusion by unauthorised individuals.

79.  Methods and procedures to prevent other organisms from entering the site.

Waste treatment

80.  Type of waste generated.

81.  Expected amount of waste.

82.  Description of treatment envisaged.

Emergency response plans

83.  Methods and procedures for controlling the organisms in case of unexpected spread.

84.  Methods, such as eradication of the organisms, for decontamination of the areas affected.

85.  Methods for disposal or sanitation of plants, animals, soils, and any other thing exposed during or after the spread.

86.  Methods for the isolation of the areas affected by the spread.

87.  Plans for protecting human health and the environment in case of the occurrence of an undesirable effect.

PART VI Information on methodology

A description of the methods used or a reference to standardised or internationally recognised methods used to compile the information required by this Schedule, and the name of the body or bodies responsible for carrying out the studies.

Regulation 16(2)(d) and (h) and (5)

SCHEDULE 3 Information to be included in applications for consent to market genetically modified organisms

PART I General information

1.  The proposed commercial name of the product and names of the genetically modified organisms in the product, and any specific identification, name or code used by the applicant to identify the genetically modified organism.

2.  The name and address in the Community of the person who is responsible for the marketing, whether it be the manufacturer, importer or distributor.

3.  The name and address of the supplier or suppliers of control samples.

4.  A description of how the product and the genetically modified organism are intended to be used, highlighting any differences in use or management of the genetically modified organism compared to similar non-genetically modified products.

5.  A description of the geographical area or areas and types of environment where the product is intended to be used within the Community, including, where possible, an estimate of the scale of use in each area.

6.  A description of the intended categories of users of the product, such as industry, agriculture or consumer use by the public.

7.  Information on the genetic modification for the purposes of placing on one or several registers modifications in organisms, which can be used for the detection and identification of particular products to facilitate post marketing control and inspection. This information should include where appropriate the lodging of samples of the genetically modified organism or its genetic material with the Secretary of State, and details of nucleotide sequences or other type of information which is necessary to identify the product and its progeny, for example the methodology for detecting and identifying the product, including experimental data demonstrating the specificity of the methodology. Information that cannot be placed, for confidentiality reasons, in the publicly accessible part of the register should be identified.

8.  The proposed labelling, which must include, in a label or an accompanying document, at least in summarised form, a commercial name of the product, a statement that “This product contains genetically modified organisms”, the name of the genetically modified organism and the name and address of the person established in the Community who is responsible for marketing the product, and how to access the information in the publicly accessible part of the register.

PART II Additional relevant information

9.  The measures to be taken in the event of the escape of the organisms in the product or misuse of the product.

10.  Specific instructions or recommendations for storage and handling of the product.

11.  Specific instructions for carrying out monitoring and reporting to the applicant and, if required, the Secretary of State, which are consistent with Part C of Annex VII of the Deliberate Release Directive.

12.  The proposed restrictions in the approved use of the genetically modified organism, such as where the product may be used and for what purposes.

13.  The proposed packaging.

14.  The estimated production in and/or imports to the Community.

15.  Any proposed additional labelling, which may include, at least in summarised form, the information referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5 of Part I of this Schedule, or paragraphs 9 to 12 of this Part.

Regulations 23, 25, and 31

SCHEDULE 4 Information to be included in an assessment report

1.  An identification of the characteristics of the recipient organism which are relevant to the assessment of the relevant genetically modified organisms.

2.  A description of the way in which the characteristics of the organisms have been affected by genetic modification.

3.  An identification of any known risks of damage to the environment resulting from the release into the environment of the recipient non-modified organism.

4.  An assessment of whether the genetic modification has been characterised sufficiently for the purpose of evaluating any risks of damage to the environment.

5.  An identification of any new risks of damage to the environment that may arise from the release of the relevant genetically modified organisms as compared to the release of the corresponding non-modified organism, based on the environmental risk assessment.

6.  A conclusion which addresses the proposed use of the product, risk management and the proposed monitoring plan, and states whether the relevant genetically modified organisms should be marketed and under which conditions, or should not be marketed, including reasons for that conclusion, and whether the views of the competent authorities of the other member States and the Commission are being sought on specific aspects of the environmental risk assessment and what those aspects are.

Regulation 37

SCHEDULE 5 REVOCATIONS

Regulations revoked	References	Extent
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1992	S.I. 1992/3280 as amended by the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1993 (S.I. 1993/152), the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/304), the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release and Risk Assessment-Amendment) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997/1900), and the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/2831).	The whole Regulations
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1993	S.I. 1993/152	The whole Regulations
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 1995	S.I. 1995/304	The whole Regulation
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release and Risk Assessment-Amendment) Regulations 1977	S.I. 1997/1900	Regulation 2
The Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000	S.I. 2000/2831	Regulation 31(2)