❓ A parliamentary question regarding genetically modified crops in Western Australia, focusing on stakeholders, patents, risk mitigation, and potential meetings with GM-free farmers. The Minister clarifies the legislative context and assures that current GM-free designations will not be affected.
AnsweredQoN 1423Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY
MODIFIED CROPS
1423. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Who are the stakeholders and
advisers to the minister on genetically modified crops?
(2) Which of the stakeholders and
advisers hold patents associated with GM canola or GM wheat?
(3) What are the
risk mitigation and compensation proposals for protecting GM-free markets and
farmers?
(4) Will the
minister meet with GM-free farmers before the continuation of the second
reading debate on the Gene Technology (Western Australia) Bill 2014?
MODIFIED CROPS
1423. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food:
(1) Who are the stakeholders and
advisers to the minister on genetically modified crops?
(2) Which of the stakeholders and
advisers hold patents associated with GM canola or GM wheat?
(3) What are the
risk mitigation and compensation proposals for protecting GM-free markets and
farmers?
(4) Will the
minister meet with GM-free farmers before the continuation of the second
reading debate on the Gene Technology (Western Australia) Bill 2014?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of this question.
(1) The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia assimilates information
and input from stakeholders and provides formal advice on genetically modified
crops.
(2) DAFWA does
not hold patents on GM wheat or GM canola. I am not aware of the details of
patents held by stakeholders, but Australian patent information is publicly
available from the IP Australia website—ipaustralia.gov.au.
(3)–(4)
The member is confused about the legislative system in Western Australia. The
effect of the Gene Technology (Western
Australia) Bill 2014 is to replace the current Western Australian Gene Technology Act 2006 with
a new act, applying the commonwealth Gene
Technology Act 2000 as a law of the state. This will ensure there
are no gaps or loopholes in the legislation and there is consistency with the
national approach, in accordance with the 2001 Intergovernmental Gene
Technology Agreement. The object of the commonwealth Gene Technology Act is to
protect the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying
risks posed by, or resulting from, gene technology, and managing identified risks
through regulating certain dealings with genetically modified organisms. The commonwealth
act requires parties to obtain a licence before conducting certain dealings
with genetically modified organisms. It establishes the licencing process and requirements, and establishes the
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, as well as expert advisory committees.
This applies to all genetically modified organisms, not just those in
agriculture. Medical and pharmaceutical research is covered by the same legislation,
making it essential that there is a consistent national scheme. I refer the
member to the second reading speech on this bill, which further details the
operation of the commonwealth act. This bill is not related to the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act
2003 . Under the GMCFAA, the whole of WA is designated as an area in
which GM cannot be grown, unless an exemption order is in place. The bill will
not affect this designation, or the current exemption orders.
of this question.
(1) The
Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia assimilates information
and input from stakeholders and provides formal advice on genetically modified
crops.
(2) DAFWA does
not hold patents on GM wheat or GM canola. I am not aware of the details of
patents held by stakeholders, but Australian patent information is publicly
available from the IP Australia website—ipaustralia.gov.au.
(3)–(4)
The member is confused about the legislative system in Western Australia. The
effect of the Gene Technology (Western
Australia) Bill 2014 is to replace the current Western Australian Gene Technology Act 2006 with
a new act, applying the commonwealth Gene
Technology Act 2000 as a law of the state. This will ensure there
are no gaps or loopholes in the legislation and there is consistency with the
national approach, in accordance with the 2001 Intergovernmental Gene
Technology Agreement. The object of the commonwealth Gene Technology Act is to
protect the health and safety of people and the environment by identifying
risks posed by, or resulting from, gene technology, and managing identified risks
through regulating certain dealings with genetically modified organisms. The commonwealth
act requires parties to obtain a licence before conducting certain dealings
with genetically modified organisms. It establishes the licencing process and requirements, and establishes the
Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, as well as expert advisory committees.
This applies to all genetically modified organisms, not just those in
agriculture. Medical and pharmaceutical research is covered by the same legislation,
making it essential that there is a consistent national scheme. I refer the
member to the second reading speech on this bill, which further details the
operation of the commonwealth act. This bill is not related to the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act
2003 . Under the GMCFAA, the whole of WA is designated as an area in
which GM cannot be grown, unless an exemption order is in place. The bill will
not affect this designation, or the current exemption orders.
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