Consents: limitations and conditions, EPA 1990 s.112
EPA 1990 s.112: Secretary of State may impose conditions on GMO consents; implied conditions require notification of risks and best techniques.
The Secretary of State may include in a consent such limitations and conditions as he may think fit for the purpose of ensuring that all appropriate measures are taken to avoid damage to the environment which may arise from the activity permitted by the consent ; . . . Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the conditions included in a consent may— require the giving of notice of any fact to the Secretary of State; or prohibit or restrict the keeping, releasing or marketing of genetically modified organisms under the consent in specified cases or circumstances; and where, under any condition, the holder of a consent is required to cease keeping any genetically modified organisms, he shall dispose of them, if no manner is specified in the conditions, as quickly and safely as practicable. Subject to subsection (6) below, there is implied in every consent for the importation or acquisition of genetically modified organisms a general condition that the holder of the consent shall— take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed (by reference to the nature of the organisms and the manner in which he intends to keep them after their importation or acquisition) of any risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their importation or acquisition; and if at any time it appears that any such risks are more serious than were apparent when the consent was granted, notify the Secretary of State forthwith. Subject to subsection (6) below, there is implied in every consent for keeping genetically modified organisms a general condition that the holder of the consent shall— take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed of any damage to the environment which may have been caused as a result of his keeping the organisms and of any risks there are of such damage being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them; if at any time it appears that any such risks are more serious than were apparent when the consent was granted, notify the Secretary of State forthwith; and use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost for keeping the organisms under his control and for preventing any damage to the environment being caused as a result of his continuing to keep them. Subject to subsection (6) below, there is implied in every consent for releasing or marketing genetically modified organisms a general condition that the holder of the consent shall— take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed (by reference to the nature of the organisms and the extent and manner of the release or marketing) of any risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released or, as the case may be, marketed; notify the Secretary of State forthwith of— any new information which becomes available with regard to any risks there are of damage to the environment being so caused, and the effects of any releases by him for the assessment of any risks there are of damage to the environment being so caused by such organisms being released or marketed; any unforeseen event, occurring in connection with a release by him, which might affect the risks there are of damage to the environment being caused as a result of their being released; take such measures as are necessary to prevent damage to the environment being caused as a result of the release or, as the case may be, the marketing of the organisms; notify the Secretary of State or, in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales of the measures (if any) taken as a result of new information becoming available or an unforeseen event occurring as described in paragraph (b)(iii) above; and in a case where new information becomes available or an unforeseen event so occurs, revise the information contained in his application for a consent accordingly and supply the revised information to the Secretary of State or, in relation to Wales, the National Assembly for Wales . The general condition implied into a consent under subsection (3), (4) or (5) above has effect subject to any conditions imposed under subsection (1) above; and the obligations imposed by virtue of subsection (4)(c) or (5)(c) above shall not apply to any aspect of an act authorised by a consent which is regulated by such a condition. There shall be implied in every consent for keeping, releasing or marketing genetically modified organisms of any description a general condition that the holder of the consent— shall take all reasonable steps to keep himself informed of developments in the techniques which may be available in his case for preventing damage to the environment being caused as a result of the doing of the act authorised by the consent in relation to organisms of that description; and if it appears at any time that any better techniques are available to him than is required by any condition included in the consent under subsection (1) above, shall notify the Secretary of State of that fact forthwith. But this general condition shall have effect subject to any conditions imposed under subsection (1) above.
Text in force at .
Source: legislation.gov.uk — The National Archives (legislation.gov.uk), reproduced under licence Open Government Licence v3.0.
What it actually says
This section empowers the Secretary of State to include limitations and conditions in any consent for activities involving genetically modified organisms (GMOs) under Part VI of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Conditions may require notice of any fact, or prohibit or restrict keeping, releasing or marketing GMOs in specified cases.
Implied conditions are read into every consent unless overridden by express conditions. For importation or acquisition of GMOs, the holder must keep informed of risks and notify the Secretary of State if risks become more serious. For keeping GMOs, additional duties apply: use the best available techniques not entailing excessive cost (BATNEEC), notify of any damage or increased risks, and dispose of organisms safely if required to cease keeping. For release or marketing, the holder must notify of new information, unforeseen events, take preventive measures, and revise the application.
A further general condition requires the holder of any consent for keeping, releasing or marketing GMOs to keep informed of better techniques and notify the Secretary of State if such techniques become available. All implied conditions are subject to any express conditions imposed under subsection (1).
When it applies
- A company imports GM seeds and later discovers a higher cross-contamination risk; they must notify the Secretary of State forthwith.
- A research lab keeps GMOs and learns of a safer containment technique; they must notify the Secretary of State if it is better than their current condition.
- A farmer releases GM crops and an unforeseen storm spreads pollen beyond containment; they must notify the Secretary of State and take measures to prevent damage.
- A biotech firm markets a GMO product and new information shows it could harm non-target insects; they must notify the Secretary of State and revise their application.
- A consent holder is required to cease keeping GMOs under a condition; they must dispose of them as quickly and safely as practicable.
What this section does not say
- This section does not cover the initial application for consent or the fee requirements (see s.111 and s.113).
- It does not define 'damage to the environment' or 'control' (see s.107).
- It does not specify the offences for breaching conditions (see s.118).
- It does not apply to precision bred organisms excluded under s.106a.
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This page reproduces the text of EPA 1990 s. 112 in force at the date shown and explains it in general terms. It is not legal advice and takes no account of the circumstances of your case, which can change the answer completely. For a live dispute, for limitation periods, and before taking any step in court, consult a qualified lawyer in England and Wales.