http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/0003/21/A22069-2000Mar21.shtml Secret trials of genetically-modified crops in NSW Source: AAP | Published: Tuesday March 21, 3:32 PM By Linda Silmalis SYDNEY, March 21 AAP - Secret trial plots of genetically-modified crops were being grown throughout New South Wales in locations not even known by the state government, a parliamentary committee was told today. The crops, mainly of canola, were part of a federal government-approved trial to investigate the concept of using genetics to modify plants, the committee heard. NSW Agriculture revealed the experiments were occurring across Australia under the approval of the federal body, the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Committee (GMAC). While the plots were small, they were causing concern, NSW Agriculture's Helen Scott Orr told the NSW upper house inquiry into the introduction of genetically-modified foods. Canola seeds had the potential to cross-pollinate and contaminate neighbouring crops without the knowledge of farmers, Ms Scott Orr, NSW Agriculture research, advisory and education executive director, said. Under existing federal guidelines, companies wanting to conduct a trial were assessed on a case-by-case basis by GMAC. The state government lacked the legal power to force the operators of the trial plots to disclose their locations, Ms Scott Orr said. 'There are trial plots all over the state,' she told the hearing. 'But once you start talking about making public the sites, you are talking about legal powers to do that ... which we don't have. 'We do have concerns.' The plot locations were only known to GMAC, she said. Genetic modification is the practice of inserting genes into plants, animals or micro-organisms artificially to produce a specific characteristic. This could include anything from the production of blue tomatoes to foods that contain antigens or extra doses of vitamins. Multinational company Aventis Crop Science and Monsanto Australia, two of several companies behind the crop trials, said the locations were kept secret for commercial reasons. But Aventis spokeswoman Naomi Stevens said farmers who fell within isolation buffer zones as set out by GMAC were informed of the trials. 'The exact locations are considered to be in commercial confidence,' Ms Stevens told AAP after the hearing. 'This is really essential so we can maintain the integrity of the field development. 'It's a scientific trial so we need to manage the site and ensure that we don't have any contamination issues.' The crop sizes varied from a couple of plants to several hectares, she said. The federal government is developing a regulatory framework on genetic modification technology with legislation expected to be enacted in January next year. Today's hearing was held to discuss concerns about the introduction of genetically-modified food. In its submission, NSW Agriculture said it was difficult to determine the advantages and disadvantages of allowing modified foods into the marketplace. While some foods might be extremely popular, there could be an even greater market for foods not genetically-modified, it said. The technology could also be used as a trade barrier by countries who wanted to keep their markets free of genetically-modified food, it said. The department said there was a need for governments and scientific organisations to ensure the public and industry were well-informed before the technology was adopted. ************************************************************************* This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
