❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about GM canola, consumer choice regarding GM-fed meat, labelling, storage, and control, with the Minister responding by clarifying responsibilities and regulations.
AnsweredQoN 861Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CANOLA — ROUNDUP READY GROWERS
Further to my question without notice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food yesterday about GM canola hay being fed to Western Australian livestock, I ask — (1) How will Western Australian consumers know whether they are buying and consuming GM-fed meat? (2) Does the minister support the right of choice of consumers to buy non-GM foods? (3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
Further to my question without notice to the Minister for Agriculture and Food yesterday about GM canola hay being fed to Western Australian livestock, I ask — (1) How will Western Australian consumers know whether they are buying and consuming GM-fed meat? (2) Does the minister support the right of choice of consumers to buy non-GM foods? (3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(1) How will Western Australian consumers know whether they are buying and consuming GM-fed meat? (2) Does the minister support the right of choice of consumers to buy non-GM foods? (3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(2) Does the minister support the right of choice of consumers to buy non-GM foods? (3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(1) How will Western Australian consumers know whether they are buying and consuming GM-fed meat? (2) Does the minister support the right of choice of consumers to buy non-GM foods? (3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(2) Does the minister support the right of choice of consumers to buy non-GM foods? (3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(3) If yes to (2), how will the minister ensure that GM-fed meat is clearly labelled? (4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(4) If no to (2), why not? (5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(5) How will the minister ensure the secure storage of GM canola hay or silage given his admission that only Monsanto will be able to give an exact figure based on returns from the growers? (6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(6) Will the minister now admit that the control of GM material in WA is in the hands of Monsanto and not in the hands of the minister? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(1) GM-fed meat is not a GM food as it does not contain any modified DNA or protein and is indistinguishable from other meat. (2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(2) Yes. (3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(3) This is not a responsibility of the Western Australian government. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has responsibility for the labelling of food in Australia. WA local governments have responsibility for the compliance, monitoring and testing activities relating to the Food Standards Code. (4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(4) Not applicable. (5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(5) The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence for the commercial cultivation of Roundup Ready canola in 2003. Storage and handling requirements for the Roundup Ready canola are outlined in the licence conditions. (6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
(6) As answered in (5) above, control of Roundup Ready canola in Australia has been under the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator since 2003.
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