Invitation to make Representations on an Application for Release of a Genetically Modified Organism

Application from Microscience Limited to release Genetically Modified Live Attenuated Salmonella Enterica (Serovar Typhi) for use in clinical trials in England

Application Reference: 02/R37/1

Microscience Limited have applied to Defra for consent to release a genetically modified organism for research and development purposes - a copy of the application is available via this link (100kb).

We invite any person who wishes to do so to make representations relating to any risks of damage being caused to the environment by the release. All communications should be received by 8th January 2003 and may be sent either in writing to:

• The GM Policy and Regulation Unit, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Zone 3/G9, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DE, stating the application reference number.
• or electronically by clicking on this email address gm@defra.gsi.gov.uk
  (Please ensure that you quote "02/R37/1" in the subject line.)

Paper copies of representations, unless they contain confidential information, will be made publicly available for inspection once a decision on the application has been reached. If you wish your representation to remain confidential please state this clearly when submitting your representation. Defra will acknowledge receipt of representations but replies to individual representations will not be given.

Guidance

Under Regulation 20(b) of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002, on receipt of a research release application the Secretary of State must invite representations on any risks of damage being caused to the environment by the proposed release by placing a request on the Public Register. The invitation to make representations is repeated here on this website.

The period within which representations should be made has been set at a minimum of 48 days (the 48 day period comes from the fact that details of release applications must be placed on the public register within 12 days of receipt (Regulations 34(3) and 35(2)) and the period of consultation must not end less than 60 days from the date the application was received (Regulation 20(b)).

Consent cannot be refused or granted before the period of 60 days, beginning on the day on which the application was received (Regulation 21(2)), has elapsed, but the latest date for a decision to be made is by the end of a period of 90 days after receipt of the application (excluding any time where additional information is being awaited; or any time when the Secretary of State is considering the representations submitted to her so long as this does not exceed 30 days). For this reason any comments received after the above date may not arrive in time to be considered before a decision is made on the application.

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Page published 21 November 2002; last modified 21 November, 2002