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Genetically modified foods

At their October 1999 meeting the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council reaffirmed their position to adopt mandatory labelling of genetically modified foods. The Council has asked the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) to publish its draft Standard A18 for public comment and consultation. The draft Standard clarifies the definition of genetically modified foods for the purpose of labelling.

Ministers have also asked ANZFA to consult with key stakeholders to produce a protocol for the implementation and enforcement of the Standard with the principal objective of balancing effectiveness and cost efficiency.

In its Annual Report 1998-99 CSIRO has issued the following statement on gene technology.

CSIRO Position Statement on Gene Technology
CSIRO believes there is a window of great opportunity for Australia, its community and industries, based on research in gene technologies. It gives us the potential to improve our health, create a safer and more secure food supply, generate greater prosperity and attain a more sustainable environment. Our position on this issue is:
  • CSIRO is committed to playing a valuable, careful and ethical role in Australian and international efforts to develop beneficial new products and processes from gene technology.
  • CSIRO will help to provide a clean, safe food supply, novel materials and products and a sustainable environment for all Australians through the use of appropriate biotechnology including gene technologies.
  • CSIRO recognises and respects public interest and concern on issues surrounding genetically modified organisms. We will consult with the community, listen to and recognise its concerns, and help to inform Australians about gene technology.
  • CSIRO will help Australia and its industries to be world competitive in biotechnology and gene technology. We will commercialise our activities in the most effective way and promote the growth of local biotechnology companies as appropriate. We will continue to conduct world class research and train our scientists to the highest standards.
  • CSIRO complies with all guidelines laid down by Government for the conduct of gene technology research. CSIRO recognises the issue of gene technology regulation is under active policy consideration by Federal and State Governments, and will comply with all new laws, regulations and requirements they determine.
  • CSIRO will address risks as well as benefits in its own gene technology research. To minimise risks nationally, CSIRO supports a national capability for environmental risk assessment and will participate as appropriate in establishing this capability.
  • CSIRO supports the stimulation of innovation through the protection of intellectual property rights in original gene technologies.

Food Safety and Hygiene intends to produce more information on genetically modified foods in subsequent issues.

Food Safety and Hygiene
Prepared by Keith Richardson and Beverley George
Food Science Australia
PO Box 52, North Ryde 1670. Tel +61 2 9490 8397 Fax +61 2 9490 8499
Email enquiries@csiro.au