[Greens-Media] Holes evident in GM legislation

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

Holes evident in GM legislation
Wednesday 20th February 2008

"Regulation of GM in this country is grossly inadequate and highlights
why it is so important to maintain the moratorium on GM crops," said
Australian Greens spokesperson Senator Rachel Siewert.

"There is no regulation in place to deal with the issues of
contamination, segregation and marketing of GM and non-GM crops. This
issue is about to come to a head with the overturning of the moratorium
on GM canola by NSW and Victoria."

"The GM-free status of states such as WA is under threat by the
decisions of NSW and Victoria, and there is no federal legislation to
deal with this issue," said Senator Siewert.

"The NSW Government has said that 'strict labelling laws will be in
place' - but questioning in Senate Estimates today revealed that NSW is
not in a position to commit to this."

"Even if there was a national agreement to put in place labelling
standards it would probably take 2 years to implement," she said.

"The Australian Greens do not support the lifting of the state
moratorium on the planting of GM canola. It is quite clear that we do
not have procedures in place to adequately protect the GM-free status of
those states that don't want to go down the GM road."

"Lifting the ban threatens markets, and our labelling laws are not
adequate to properly inform the community of GM content," she concluded.


For more information or comment call Chris Twomey on 0407 725 025
Email senator.siewert at aph.gov.au  |  http://www.rachelsiewert.org.au