A WA parliamentary question addresses the Minister for Agriculture and Food's planned North America visit regarding GMOs, correspondence from organic growers, and potential meetings with organic farming representatives. The Minister confirms the visit's focus on biotechnology and acknowledges the correspondence but declines specific meetings.

AnsweredQoN 693Legislative Council
Asked
25 June 2009
Portfolio
Agriculture and Food

QuestionView source ↗

MINISTER FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD — VISIT TO NORTH AMERICA
(1) Is the minister planning to visit North America to learn more about the impact of genetically modified organisms on agriculture? (2) Has the minister received correspondence from Organic Growers Association WA, requesting that he either visit or meet with some organic farmers or other non-GM farmers to obtain a broader perspective of the situation in North America? (3) Will the minister undertake to visit Mr Arnold Taylor, president of Canadian Organic Farmers, Mr Terry Boehm of the Canadian National Farmers Union, or Mr Ross Murray, an organic farmer? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for her question. The minister has replied — (1) Yes. The focus will be on the potential economic development opportunities for Western Australia in several areas, including the broad area of biotechnology. The objective is to gain a detailed appreciation of cutting-edge research and development activity and public policy development in this rapidly evolving field. (2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
(2) Has the minister received correspondence from Organic Growers Association WA, requesting that he either visit or meet with some organic farmers or other non-GM farmers to obtain a broader perspective of the situation in North America? (3) Will the minister undertake to visit Mr Arnold Taylor, president of Canadian Organic Farmers, Mr Terry Boehm of the Canadian National Farmers Union, or Mr Ross Murray, an organic farmer? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. The minister has replied — (1) Yes. The focus will be on the potential economic development opportunities for Western Australia in several areas, including the broad area of biotechnology. The objective is to gain a detailed appreciation of cutting-edge research and development activity and public policy development in this rapidly evolving field. (2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
(3) Will the minister undertake to visit Mr Arnold Taylor, president of Canadian Organic Farmers, Mr Terry Boehm of the Canadian National Farmers Union, or Mr Ross Murray, an organic farmer? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. The minister has replied — (1) Yes. The focus will be on the potential economic development opportunities for Western Australia in several areas, including the broad area of biotechnology. The objective is to gain a detailed appreciation of cutting-edge research and development activity and public policy development in this rapidly evolving field. (2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for her question. The minister has replied — (1) Yes. The focus will be on the potential economic development opportunities for Western Australia in several areas, including the broad area of biotechnology. The objective is to gain a detailed appreciation of cutting-edge research and development activity and public policy development in this rapidly evolving field. (2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
I thank the member for her question. The minister has replied — (1) Yes. The focus will be on the potential economic development opportunities for Western Australia in several areas, including the broad area of biotechnology. The objective is to gain a detailed appreciation of cutting-edge research and development activity and public policy development in this rapidly evolving field. (2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
(1) Yes. The focus will be on the potential economic development opportunities for Western Australia in several areas, including the broad area of biotechnology. The objective is to gain a detailed appreciation of cutting-edge research and development activity and public policy development in this rapidly evolving field. (2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
(2) Yes. (3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.
(3) Unfortunately it will not be possible to meet the individuals mentioned. However, the visit will involve meetings and discussions with people involved with non-GM supply chains.

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