To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consideration he has given to including commercial applications such as bioreactors, fish tanks and glasshouses within the single regulatory framework covering laboratory safety for genetically modified organisms.

HSE is currently consulting on the proposed consolidation of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 and its three amending sets of regulations (2002, 2005 and 2010). Uses of bioreactors, fish tanks and glasshouses for containing genetically modified organisms are covered by the existing regulations and will be covered by the consolidated regulations. These regulations require operators to put in place containment barriers that afford protection to human health and the environment. The consolidation will assist in removing potential legal hurdles that may impede the longer-term goal of producing a single regulatory framework for this type of work.