To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department was notified prior to (a) shipments by Oxitec of genetically-modified mosquito eggs to Grand Cayman for use and (b) the release of such mosquitos in experimental trials in 2009 and 2010.

Responsibility for environmental matters is devolved to the Government of the Cayman Islands. My Department was not therefore notified in advance of the shipments of genetically-modified mosquito eggs nor the release of such mosquitoes in experimental trials in the Cayman Islands.

Further information about this subject can be obtained from Dr William D Petrie, Director of the Mosquito Research and Control Unit (MRCU), at:

william.petrie@gov.ky.