South Perth, Western Australia
August 13, 2009
The public comment period for the
review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 has
been extended for a further four weeks until Friday 11
September.
The Act prohibits the cultivation of certain genetically
modified (GM) crops in designated areas of the State and
provides for their destruction in certain cases.
Former parliamentary counsel Greg Calcutt is undertaking the
review and will prepare a report for State Parliament by the end
of the year.
Submissions from the public relating to the Act are welcome;
however, the review is not a general inquiry into gene
technology and GM organisms. It is looking at the need for and
effectiveness of the Act, and the orders prohibiting the
cultivation of GM crops and the granting of exemptions.
Issues such as the safety and labelling of GM foods, legal
liability, use of pesticides, intellectual property and the role
of multinationals are not covered by the scope of this review.
The review also does not relate to the policy behind the current
GM canola trials being undertaken in Western Australia.
A background paper relating to the review is available on the
Department of Agriculture
and Food’s website
http://www.agric.wa.gov.au or by emailing
gmcrops@agric.wa.gov.au
or telephoning 9368 3327 and 9368 3530.
Submissions to the review must be received in writing by 11
September and meet the submission guidelines listed on the
department’s website
At the close of the review period, all submissions will appear
on the website for public information. |
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