❓ Hon. Anthony Fels questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food about reconsidering the moratorium on genetically modified crops, citing potential economic losses and industry calls for review. The Minister outlines ongoing reviews and consultations.
AnsweredQoN 14Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS 14. Hon ANTHONY FELS to the Minister for Agriculture and Food: The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics has projected that Australia’s failure to grow genetically modified crops could cost the country approximately $3 billion within eight years. The Western Australian Farmers Federation and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, Western Australia’s peak agricultural industry representative bodies, are calling for a review of the moratorium on genetically modified crops, particularly with regard to the cotton and biofuel industries. Will the minister reconsider his current position on GM crops? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics has projected that Australia’s failure to grow genetically modified crops could cost the country approximately $3 billion within eight years. The Western Australian Farmers Federation and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, Western Australia’s peak agricultural industry representative bodies, are calling for a review of the moratorium on genetically modified crops, particularly with regard to the cotton and biofuel industries. Will the minister reconsider his current position on GM crops? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
The Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics has projected that Australia’s failure to grow genetically modified crops could cost the country approximately $3 billion within eight years. The Western Australian Farmers Federation and the Pastoralists and Graziers Association, Western Australia’s peak agricultural industry representative bodies, are calling for a review of the moratorium on genetically modified crops, particularly with regard to the cotton and biofuel industries. Will the minister reconsider his current position on GM crops? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The full written answer will not be available for about an hour or so. I handwrote some of the answer and I have not had time to get it typed. Hon Anthony Fels will get a copy, but not immediately. Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
Hon Simon O’Brien : There is plenty of time now that we haven’t got the suspension of standing orders to debate. Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
Hon KIM CHANCE : Exactly. In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
In late 2005, I established a ministerial genetically modified organisms industry reference group to examine issues and to provide the government with advice about the use of genetically modified crops and biotechnology in Western Australia. A series of discussion papers is being developed by the group, the first of which should be finalised this week, even tomorrow. It relates to GM cotton in the Ord River irrigation area. Following its release for public consultation, the group will turn its attention to genetically modified canola. That process has already started. The outcome of the public consultation in each case will assist in informing the government in relation to the forthcoming 2008 review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and the underlying policy moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops. There are two separate processes: one is a review of the act, and the other is a review of the policy. One is a government function, the other is an ALP function. The government supports continued research on GM and other biotechnology for agriculture. Provisions exist under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 for the conduct of field trials on GM varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Although I do not specifically know which ABARE projections the honourable member refers to in the question, I have noted that ABARE comments on GMO issues tend to be read and quoted quite selectively, sometimes with a result that is not consistent with the direction of the original report. This was certainly the case with the most recent ABARE report on GMOs, which did not provide justification for some of the comments that it purported to represent.
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