Labor Calls for GM Inquiry

Date: 27 March 2000

There must be an immediate investigation into the serious allegations raised by the Saturday Age about a poorly monitored genetically modified trial of canola being undertaken near Mt Gambia," Mr. Gavan O'Connor, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry and Mr. Alan Griffin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Health said today.

"If these allegations are proved true then we would expect an urgent audit of the regulatory system and the other 120 Genetically Modified Organism trials currently being conducted around Australia to determine how widespread non-compliance is with the regulations.

"The revelations in The Age newspaper today question the integrity of the current regulatory process overseen by Health Minister Michael Wooldridge.

"Not only must there be an immediate inquiry into the Mount Gambia canola trial, but also into the allegations about the black market in GM seeds.

"Dr Michael Wooldridge has a lot of questions to answer the least of which is who is ensuring that the various companies manufacturing these seeds and GM crop growers are complying with the regulations. Who is taking responsibility?

"At stake is the integrity of our GM-free products and our reputation in overseas markets - our GM-free canola is worth nearly $550 million per year in exports.

"Genetic engineering is an important technology with significant potential to play a positive role in such areas as health, industry, mining and agriculture.

"However, the community has concerns that any steps that are taken to gain these benefits are extremely careful and ensure that Australian health and environmental standards are not put at risk.

"Every company that seeks to undertake trials with genetic engineering must play by very strict rules set and rigorously enforced by the Government.

"In addition, our farmers need to be confident that the integrity of their produce is not being compromised by sloppy regulation.

"With the Government expecting a fast passage of its Gene Technology Bill through Parliament, this debacle is not a good start.

"We are meeting with the Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator on Monday and we will be demanding answers to the important questions raised by the The Age investigation," Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Griffin said.

For further information contact:

For further information

Contact:	Gavan O' Connor
Union:	ALP Federal
Phone:	0418 518 528

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