CCP SUPPORTS GM MORATORIUM EXTENSION BILL

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http://parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/NSWBills.nsf/d2117e6bba4ab3eb...

Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment (Postponement of Expiry) Bill 2011

Assented on 21/06/2011 - Act No 17 of 2011.

Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment (Postponement of Expiry) Bill 2011

Clause 1 The Legislature of New South Wales enacts:

1 Name of Act This Act is the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment

(Postponement of Expiry) Act 2011.

2 Commencement This Act commences on the date of assent to this Act.

3 Amendment of Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003 No 12

Section 43 Expiry of Act Omit “1 July 2011”. Insert instead “1 July 2021”.

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The Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, Leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has supported the ’Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment (Postponement of Expiry) Bill 2011’ in the NSW Upper House

”On behalf of the Christian Democratic Party I support the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment (Postponement of Expiry) Bill 2011. I remember the heated debates in this House when the original bill was introduced in 2003. I agree that the Hon. Ian Macdonald deserves a pat on the back for pursuing this approach, in spite of a tremendous amount of criticism directed against the policy and against him personally. This amending bill will remove the expiry date of the Act of 1 July 2011 and extend it for a further 10 years, to 1 July 2021. As other members have said, GM crops need to be subject to careful regulation, which is enforced by the Commonwealth. Careful regulation is needed to ensure that buffer zones are maintained and non-GM crops on organic farms are protected. This regulation must be dealt with calmly and scientifically, with no fear campaigns. Hopefully the various trials that are underway will provide further evidence of where GM crops can be grown and their benefit to the community. If the expiry date in this Act were not extended, GM food plants would be cultivated in New South Wales without requiring approval by the State Government. That would be the worst possible outcome. Extending the Act for 10 years imposes a blanket prohibition on the commercial cultivation of GM food plants in New South Wales”, said Rev Fred Nile.

”The Minister for Primary Industries has the power to approve the commercial cultivation of specific GM food crops only if certain criteria are met by the applicant. For that reason we need careful regulation of GM crops. In March 2008 GM canola was approved for commercial cultivation in New South Wales. The moratorium on all other GM food plants remains in place. GM cotton is the only other GM crop grown in New South Wales but as it is not a food plant it is not subject to this legislation. As we always take note of the views of the NSW Farmers Association, I am pleased that it has confirmed its support for GM crops-although some members of The Nationals in this place have some reservations. The NSW Farmers Association has also confirmed its support to extend the Act for a further 10 years. Reducing the time frame to a period of less than 10 years poses an unnecessary administrative burden and offers less certainty for the industry and the community. We are pleased to support the bill”, Rev Nile stated.

SOURCE: Fred Nile, MP Christian Democratic Party New South Wales, Australia

AUTHOR: Press Release

URL: http://www.cdp.org.au/federal-media-release/862-cdp-supports-gm-moratori...

DATE: 18.06.2011