Western Australian Department of Ag organizes information session on the use and approval process for GM crops in Australia
More than 150 people turned out this week to hear from a range of experts on the use and approval process for genetically modified crops in Australia.
The information session was organised by the Department of Agriculture and Food which is overseeing commercial trials of GM canola in Western Australia this year.
Department biotechnology manager Sue Sutherland said the event was attended by representatives from local government, business and community organisations keen to broaden their knowledge of GM technology.
“Interest in GM technology is strong and has been stimulated by the State Government’s decision to allow limited trials of GM canola on about 1000 hectares in the WA grainbelt in 2009,” Dr Sutherland said.
“This was an important opportunity to harness that interest and explain the GM approval processes used in Australia, which are among the most robust in the world.”
Speakers included the Gene Technology Regulator from Canberra, Dr Joe Smith; the Chief Scientist from Food Science Australia and New Zealand, Dr Paul Brent; and NSW canola farmer Graham Barron. The meeting was chaired by Hendy Cowan.
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator is charged with responsibility under the Gene Technology Act 2000 with protecting the health and safety of both people and the environment.
Dr Smith described how the approval of genetically modified organisms involved a careful and transparent process.
Since 2001, 77 licences have been issued for GMOs intended for release, enabling field trials to be conducted. In first approving the release of GM canola in 2003, the Gene Technology Regulator consulted more than 400 scientific reports.
Food Science Australia and New Zealand’s Dr Brent explained it was illegal to sell any GM food in Australia and New Zealand unless it had been approved by Food Science Australia and New Zealand, and penalties for non-compliance were substantial. Experienced senior scientists evaluated all data supplied by industry and followed strict international guidelines.
A total of 40 applications had been approved for GM soybeans, canola, rice, corn, potato, sugarbeet, lucerne and cotton – where the oil can be used in food processing.
Graham Barron was the first Australian farmer to harvest and deliver GM canola in 2008. He grew it because of its herbicide resistance advantages which meant less labour, less fuel and less tractor time, combined with better weed control.
In 2009, 300 farmers have sown GM canola in Victoria and NSW on over 41,000 hectares.
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