Macdonald releases details of GM review

Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today released the details for the independent review of the current moratorium on planting of genetically modified (GM) food crops in NSW.

"The review will assess the expected impacts on marketing, trade and investment of extending the Act or allowing it to expire,” Minster Macdonald said.

"I have asked the panel to leave no stone unturned and listen to all views as part of this all encompassing review.

"The panel, chaired by former Nationals Agriculture Minister Ian Armstrong, will begin consulting with the industry immediately and has called for written submissions.”

Minister Macdonald said the details relating to the review of the NSW Gene Technology Act 2003 are now available on the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ website.

The address is www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/reviews/gmcrops

Submissions can be lodged either by email: gmcrops.review@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Or, by post:

The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2007.

The Terms of Reference:

1. Assess the expected impacts on marketing, trade and investment for NSW of:

• extending the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003 (the Act) and maintaining the moratorium orders on the cultivation of GM canola;
• amending the Act and removing the moratorium orders on the cultivation of GM canola; or
• Allowing the Act to expire.

2. On the basis of the above assessments, make recommendations to Government on the most appropriate option to adopt; and

3. In the event that the panel recommends extension of the legislation, recommend appropriate amendments to the legislation.