❓ Hon Giz Watson questions the cost, purpose, and neutrality of a Department of Agriculture and Food forum on GM crops, suggesting bias and seeking funding for a counter-perspective on non-GM and organic farming.
AnsweredQoN 1277Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What was the total cost of holding the recent Department of Agriculture and Food’s information forum at UWA on GM crops, including venue hire, refreshments, publications, invitations and administration?
(2) Why was the forum held?
(3) Will the Minister fund to the same value a forum to promote the values of non-GM and organic farming?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Did any company or individual provide assistance of any kind with the forum?
(6) If yes to (5), will the Minister provide details?
(7) Was consideration given to provide a contrary view to the pro-GM speakers?
(8) Why wasn’t a contrary view presented?
(9) Does the Department have a pro-GM policy?
(10) If yes to (9), please table this policy?
(2) Why was the forum held?
(3) Will the Minister fund to the same value a forum to promote the values of non-GM and organic farming?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Did any company or individual provide assistance of any kind with the forum?
(6) If yes to (5), will the Minister provide details?
(7) Was consideration given to provide a contrary view to the pro-GM speakers?
(8) Why wasn’t a contrary view presented?
(9) Does the Department have a pro-GM policy?
(10) If yes to (9), please table this policy?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 November 2009
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
34 days
(1) $22 754
(2) The aim of the forum was to provide information on the Australian regulatory system for genetically modified (GM) crops to members of the Western Australian community.
(3) No
(4) The Department of Agriculture and Food works to support every opportunity for current and future agricultural production. This includes work to support small land landholders, conventional farmers, organic farmers and also work to engage the urban community in extending the biosecurity surveillance network.
(5) Yes
(6) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and Food Standards Australia New Zealand paid for the airfares and accommodation of their representatives. Agrifood Awareness provided advice on possible speakers. Estill and Associates were contracted to prepare the invitation list and to record the names and addresses of persons who agreed to attend the forum.
(7) The speakers were not pro-GM. The first two speakers were representatives of the independent bodies responsible for the regulation of GM crops in Australia. The third speaker was a farmer who grew GM canola last season but opted not to grow it this season because it did not fit into his cropping system.
(8) The forum was designed to provide information on the Australian regulatory system rather than to debate the pros and cons of GM crops. There was an opportunity at the end of the forum for discussion.
(9) No
(10) Not applicable
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(2) The aim of the forum was to provide information on the Australian regulatory system for genetically modified (GM) crops to members of the Western Australian community.
(3) No
(4) The Department of Agriculture and Food works to support every opportunity for current and future agricultural production. This includes work to support small land landholders, conventional farmers, organic farmers and also work to engage the urban community in extending the biosecurity surveillance network.
(5) Yes
(6) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and Food Standards Australia New Zealand paid for the airfares and accommodation of their representatives. Agrifood Awareness provided advice on possible speakers. Estill and Associates were contracted to prepare the invitation list and to record the names and addresses of persons who agreed to attend the forum.
(7) The speakers were not pro-GM. The first two speakers were representatives of the independent bodies responsible for the regulation of GM crops in Australia. The third speaker was a farmer who grew GM canola last season but opted not to grow it this season because it did not fit into his cropping system.
(8) The forum was designed to provide information on the Australian regulatory system rather than to debate the pros and cons of GM crops. There was an opportunity at the end of the forum for discussion.
(9) No
(10) Not applicable
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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