❓ A parliamentary question regarding compliance with genetically modified crop regulations, potential missing GM lupin seeds, and liability for economic losses due to GM contamination. The Minister's response indicates no reported breaches and clarifies the roles of relevant authorities.
AnsweredQoN 404Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
404. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Has there
been any breach of compliance with genetically modified regulations?
(2) If yes to
(1), what are the details?
(3) Have two
packets of GM lupin varieties gone missing from the University of Western Australia?
(4) If yes to
(3), what has been done to investigate this issue and prevent a similar
incident occurring?
(5) Who will
be liable if any escape from GM trials causes economic loss, as per market loss
in the US from GM wheat contamination?
404. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Has there
been any breach of compliance with genetically modified regulations?
(2) If yes to
(1), what are the details?
(3) Have two
packets of GM lupin varieties gone missing from the University of Western Australia?
(4) If yes to
(3), what has been done to investigate this issue and prevent a similar
incident occurring?
(5) Who will
be liable if any escape from GM trials causes economic loss, as per market loss
in the US from GM wheat contamination?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for notice of the question.
(1) The
Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator is the responsible
organisation. The OGTR monitors compliance with the Australian gene technology
legislation and provides the Australian Parliament with a quarterly report
outlining the results of these activities.
(2) I
understand there have been no reported breaches in my jurisdiction.
(3) The
Department of Agriculture and Food has been advised by the OGTR that the University
of WA initially reported some possible missing GM lupin seeds but these have
subsequently been accounted for.
(4) Not
applicable.
(5) It is not
possible to say who would be liable for any loss in such a situation. Liability
would depend on where any fault lay, which would ultimately be a matter for a
court to decide.
honourable member for notice of the question.
(1) The
Australian Office of the Gene Technology Regulator is the responsible
organisation. The OGTR monitors compliance with the Australian gene technology
legislation and provides the Australian Parliament with a quarterly report
outlining the results of these activities.
(2) I
understand there have been no reported breaches in my jurisdiction.
(3) The
Department of Agriculture and Food has been advised by the OGTR that the University
of WA initially reported some possible missing GM lupin seeds but these have
subsequently been accounted for.
(4) Not
applicable.
(5) It is not
possible to say who would be liable for any loss in such a situation. Liability
would depend on where any fault lay, which would ultimately be a matter for a
court to decide.
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