Communique from the NSW Agricultural Advisory Council on Gene Technology - September 2003

At the inaugural meeting of the New South Wales Agriculture Advisory Council on Gene Technology, held in Sydney on 9 July 2003, the issuing of an Exemption Order was recommended by the Council to allow the continuation of existing research field trials of InVigor® canola, produced by Bayer CropScience.

The Council, at its second meeting, held in Sydney on the 20 August 2003, further considered licence conditions associated with existing research field trials of the genetically modified canola InVigor®. Council noted that since its last meeting, the Office of the Gene Technology regulator (OGTR) had approved the general release of InVigor® canola, after concluding that it posed no greater risk to human health and safety, and the environment, than conventional canola. The OGTR had also updated the licence given to Bayer CropScience for research field trials of several types of GM canola and mustard.

The Council discussed the role of OGTR and NSW Agriculture in enforcing the conditions for the conduct of the existing InVigor® canola trials sown in NSW in 2003, and those trials which had been sown in previous years. It was advised that OGTR will no longer be enforcing the conditions for the conduct and ongoing post-harvest monitoring of all field trials of InVigor® canola, as this would be inconsistent with the OGTR’s approval for general release described above.

NSW Agriculture advised the Council that it would enforce compliance with the conditions of the Exemption Order issued by the Minister for the conduct of three trials of InVigor® planted earlier in 2003 under OGTR licence DIR010/2002. NSW Agriculture is currently training inspectors to be authorised under the Act. It would also enter an arrangement with Bayer CropScience to continue to undertake the appropriate postharvest monitioring with cleaning conditions previously imposed by OGTR for field trials of InVigor® sown in NSW in 2001 and 2002.

Council also received assurances from NSW Agriculture that it had access to the capability to test for the presence of InVigor® canola to ensure compliance with the conditions of the exemption order.

Council is continuing to gather information on the conduct and ongoing implementation and monitoring of field trials and may make further recommendations as new information pertaining to trade and marketing becomes available.

Council agreed its next meeting would be held in Wagga Wagga, which will enable Council members to inspect some of the GM canola trials under way in the area, and to consult stakeholders in the GM canola issue.

The New South Wales Agricultural Advisory Council on Gene Technology was formed following assent of the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003 in New South Wales. The Advisory Council consists of members nominated by NSW Agriculture, AWB Ltd, GrainCorp, Avcare, the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the Network of Concerned Farmers, the Nature Conservation Council, CSIRO, the New South Wales Farmers Association and an independent Chairperson.

The function of the New South Wales Agricultural Advisory Council on Gene Technology is to investigate any matter referred to the Advisory Council by the Minister; to provide advice in relation to proposed research trials for GM food plants referred to by the Minister; to provide advice on current developments and issues in relation to GM technology and its application to agriculture and to provide policy advice in relation to licences issued under the Gene Technology Act 2000 of the Commonwealth that relate to GM food plants.