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Review of the Moratorium on GM Canola
Purpose of the Review of the Moratorium on GM Canola In 2003, the Federal Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) approved the commercial release of Bayer CropScience's InVigor® genetically modified (GM) canola and Monsanto Australia's Roundup Ready® GM canola. The OGTR concluded that these canola varieties pose no greater risk to human health or the environment than conventionally bred canola. In 2004, the Government of Victoria concluded that the timing was not appropriate for the full commercial release of the two varieties of GM canola due to ‛divisions and uncertainty within industry, the farming sector and regional communities about the impact of GM canola on markets’. On 12 May 2004, the Minister for Agriculture issued an Order declaring a four-year moratorium in Victoria on the commercial scale planting of GM canola. The moratorium is in place until 29 February 2008 and will be reviewed before the Order expires. All other States and Territories, except Queensland and the Northern Territory, have introduced moratoria either on GM canola, or more broadly on GM crops, for various lengths of time. On 22 May 2007, the Premier of Victoria, the Hon. Steve Bracks MP, announced the establishment of an independent panel to review the State’s moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) canola. Media Release: Review of the GM Canola Moratorium (external link). Page Top Scope of the Review of the Moratorium on GM Canola Under a policy principle established within the Gene Technology Act 2000, the moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM canola in Victoria (the Moratorium) was imposed in 2004 for trade and market access reasons. The Terms of Reference for this review focus on trade and market access considerations. Matters of human health, safety and environmental impacts are not part of the terms of reference as these are considered under federal legislation. Composition of the Review Panel On 22 May 2007, the Premier also announced the appointment of the Review’s independent Panel: Professor Sir Gustav Nossal (Chair), Mrs Christine Forster and Mrs Merna Curnow. The Panel co-opted the expertise of Mrs Carolyn Tanner during their deliberations (see appendix 1 of the Panel’s report for details of Panel membership). The Panel was asked to submit a report to the Minister for Agriculture. Process of the Review The Panel came to the task with an open mind and examined information from submissions, discussions with a range of stakeholders, and a number of independent reports, including those prepared for this Review and others undertaken during the past four years. The terms of appointment of the Review Panel included a requirement to consult with key stakeholders and to invite public submissions. Terms of Reference for the Review The review findings and recommendations are to address the moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM canola in Victoria. The review’s terms of reference are to:
Page Top Issues Paper – Review of the Moratorium on GM Canola An Issues Paper has been developed to assist with the preparation of submissions. It outlines the scope of the review and issues on which the panel is seeking comment and information. The document below is in PDF format. If you do not have the Acrobat PDF viewer you can download a free copy from the Adobe website (external link). Issues Paper Submissions to the Review Panel Submissions to the Review panel have now closed. The deadline for submissions to the Review panel was 17 August 2007. Submissions were open to any individual or group on issues that respondents consider relevant to the review’s Terms of Reference, particularly on the issues raised in the Issues Paper. Submissions to the review range from a brief commentary on a particular aspect of the current status of commercial cultivation of GM canola in Victoria, to substantial assessments of a range of relevant issues. No defined format was required for submissions. Where relevant, however, it was suggested that evidence be provided to support views expressed, such as copies of relevant reports, facts and figures or case studies. Multiple identical submissions do not carry any more weight than the merits of an argument in a single submission. As such, the review panel supported joint submissions where applicable. The Review panel encouraged respondents to make their submissions publicly available. Unless marked ‘IN CONFIDENCE’ all submissions to the review panel will be treated as public documents and may also be placed on the Internet for public access. Formal requests for confidentiality will be honoured, however, Freedom of Information access requirements still apply to submissions treated as confidential. To assist the Review panel to comply with privacy laws, it was requested that each submitting individual or organisation provide their details on the Submission Cover Sheet. Anyone making a submission should be aware that the all documents associated with the Review are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 1983. While the Review panel will respect the wishes of those making submissions ‘IN CONFIDENCE’, the application of that Act in any particular case is ultimately outside the control of the Review panel. Submissions Received As of 28 August 2007, the Review Panel had received 1178 written submissions, and 36 individuals and organisations had participated in stakeholder consultations. See appendix 3 of the Panel’s report for a list of those who presented written submissions, and appendix 4 for a list of those who attended the Review consultations. Individual submissions numbered 248, while the remaining 930 submissions were copies of one of three campaign letters. Of the latter group, 262 were copies of a Victorian citizen campaign submission (sub. 9), 18 were copies of a Victorian Farmers Federation campaign submission (sub. 17) and 650 were copies of a Japanese citizen campaign submission (sub. 251).
Disclaimer The Department and the Review Panel do not: (a) endorse or support any of the opinions, views or statements contained in any of the submissions; and (b) warrant the accuracy of any statements contained in any of the submissions. Page Top Review Panel Report The independent Review Panel appointed by the Premier of Victoria to review the moratorium on genetically modified canola in Victoria finalised its report and provided its recommendations to the Minister for Agriculture in October 2007. To assist with evaluating the economic impact of the moratorium, the Department of Primary Industries, supporting the Panel’s work, commissioned ACIL Tasman to conduct an independent cost–benefit analysis. Government Response to the Review Panel Recommendations On 27 November 2007, the Premier of Victoria, the Hon John Brumby MP, announced that the Victorian Government would allow the moratorium on GM canola to expire on 29 February 2008. Media Release: Farmers and Consumers Given The Choice On GM Canola (external link) The Victorian Government has considered the recommendations and findings from the independent review and provides the following response. Further Information GM Canola Consumers' Fact Sheet (PDF 73kb) GM Canola Review Summary (PDF 65kb) |
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© The State of Victoria, 1996 - 2008.
This document was published on 21/07/2008.