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Organic Industry Statement

September 2007: Extend state bans on GM crops
>> download file

Submission to the State Review

Assess the economic impacts of the state ban on commercial genetically manipulated (GM) canola
>> download file

Premier sows the seeds of destruction

Premiers John Brumby and Morris Iemma are trashing Australia’s GM-free advantage, by allowing the state’s GM canola bans to expire.
>> download file

GM canola bans - unresolved threshold issues

State and territory bans on GM food crops, including canola, should be extended for at least five years. Further research and policy development is essential to resolve various threshold issues before the bans could be lifted.
>> download file

Brumby Guts GM Crop Ban

The Brumby government guts its GM crop ban by letting Bayer Cropscience grow Genetically Manipulated (GM) herbicide tolerant canola now
>> download file

GM-free Zone Petition

An achievable goal is your local council declaring its area a GM-free Zone. Please print, fill and submit the attached petition to your council.
>> download file

Brumby's GM canola: doomed to fail

Brumby's government ignores the reasonable arguments of community groups, subverts democratic processes and arrogantly crashes-through with grandiose schemes that are doomed to fail the public.
>> download file

Brumby to extend the GM canola ban

At Noon today, hundreds of protesters from various citizen groups will rally on the steps of Parliament House. They will call on Premier Brumby to extend the ban on commercial Genetically Manipulated (GM) herbicide tolerant canola for five more years at least.
>> download file

Confirmed: GM Canola is a Weed

New Swedish research just published confirms that GM canola contamination will be permanent and irreversible
>> download file

ABARE pushes GM crops with phony stats

The latest ABARE modelling exercise "Economic Impacts of GM crops in Australia" uses false assumptions and fantasies to back Genetically Manipulated (GM) crops.
>> download file

Gene Ethics backs WA Government call on GM foods

Gene Ethics fully supports WA Premier Alan Carpenter’s call today for labels on all Genetic Manipulated (GM) foods and for all GM food approvals to stop while these unsafe foods are fully safety tested.
>> download file

Feeding the World: GM is not the answer

by Bob Phelps
>> download file

Map of Victorian Canola Sites

This map shows farms where Monsanto's Roundup tolerant GM canola is reportedly being grown or is intended for planting in Victoria
>> download file

GM Canola Site Map a Public Service

Gene Ethics today published a map of commercial Genetically Manipulated (GM) canola sites at www.geneethics.org Premier Brumby refuses to set up an official GM site register.
>> download file

West Australian GM-free breakthrough today

Gene Ethics applauds Premier Alan Carpenter's announcement of a four-year extension to the WA ban on all Genetically Manipulated (GM) food and fiber crops.
>> download file

GM Crops

GM Crops in Australia

GM-free WA guaranteed if Labor is returned

The Carpenter government today made bold commitments to GM-free (no Genetically Manipulated crops). Their comprehensive GM-free policies are a bonanza for WA food and farming industries.
>> download file

Map of NSW Canola Sites

This map shows farms where Monsanto's Roundup tolerant GM canola is reportedly being grown or is intended for planting in New South Wales
>> download file

NSW GM site Map Published Today

Gene Ethics' map of Genetically Manipulated Roundup tolerant canola sites and GM canola depots in NSW was published today with information gleaned from media reports.
>> download file

Strong backing for GM-free in Victorian council elections

162 candidates for election to 47 Victorian councils back GM-free policies. Gene Ethics' 4,000 constituents will support them and GM-free policies.
>> download file

GM Canola Contamination at Horsham

GM Cropwatch's Jessica Harrison today found Genetically Manipulated (GM) canola plants heaped up on the roadside near the Natimuk/Rudolph's Rd junction, 5 minutes from Horsham. Galahs were also seen feasting on GM canola last week.
>> download file

Community Cleanup of GM canola contamination at Horsham

Angry growers will do a Community Cleanup of GM canola contamination at 11am Thursday November 27, to quarantine plants and seed on roadsides near Horsham.
>> download file

GM Cropwatch visits Lubeck

GM CROPWATCH is monitoring roadsides and railway lines in the Horsham area this week. Cropwatch technician Jessica Harrison is testing canola and related weeds for GM contamination.
>> download file

GM Canola has Wings

GM Cropwatch technician Jessica Harrison photographed pink and grey galahs feasting on a GM canola crop near the Horsham-Natimuk Road on Friday
>> download file

Australia-wide public forums: GM crops - the benefits and risks Hear first hand experiences from Canada and the USA

With Genetically Manipulated (GM) canola grown last year in Victoria and NSW, farmers are deciding if GM canola will be good or bad to grow. North American farmers will tell you about the possible benefits and risks of GM crops and answer your questions on corporate influence, segregation failures, legal issues and the effect on markets.
>> download file

Map of WA Canola Sites

This map shows farms where Monsanto's Roundup tolerant GM canola is reportedly being grown or is intended for planting in Western Australia
>> download file

GM Canola Segregation Lies Unravel

BULK grain handler GrainCorp will mix Genetically Manipulated (GM) and non-GM canola varieties together from now on. After just one season, the GM industry has scrapped its pretence that GM and non-GM canola can and will be segregated.
>> download file

Tasmanian GM Ban Makes Sense

The Tasmanian Government ban until 2014 on Genetically Manipulated (GM) crops, animals and microbes has the support of all political parties and the community. It is an economic winner for the state
>> download file

GM Canola Growing in Melbourne Suburb

Gene Ethics' supporters will picket the first confirmed GM canola site in suburban Melbourne, at Berwick at 10am today. The GM crop is growing on property owned by the family of State Opposition leader Ted Baillieu.
>> download file

Give back Monsanto’s GM canola growing wild in Victoria

Gene Ethics’ activists will hand back Monsanto’s Genetically Manipulated (GM) canola to Agricultural Minister Joe Helper and Monsanto at the GM ‘coexistence’ conference being held at Melbourne’s Convention Centre today. The GM canola was found growing wild on roadsides in Victoria and New South Wales and collected by GM Cropwatch.
>> download file

ISAAA reports less GM crops in 2009

The annual GM industry-funded survey of global GM crops, by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agro-biotech Applications (ISAAA), shows 7 of the 25 GM countries grew less genetically manipulated (GM) crops in 2009. No more countries adopted GM and just 2.7% of global agricultural land was used for GM soy, corn, canola and cotton.
>> download file

Review set to weaken food labelling

There is a real danger that the national food labelling review could further weaken our lax labelling laws in the interests of trade. The Review received 6,000 submissions in the first round of comment last November, despite just three weeks notice. The lack of full labelling of genetically manipulated (GM) foods was one of the issues most often raised.
>> download file

WA risks to GM-free markets in Europe and Japan

In a letter dated February 26 (attached), three European grain traders tell WA Premier Barnett they will not buy WA grain if GM canola is grown. Barnett and Agriculture Minister Redman hid this letter from the Lower House during the disallowance debate on March 10.
>> download file

EU Grain Traders to Barnett 260210 1

EU grain traders express their need for GM-free grain ahead of no-confidence motion debated in WA Parliament. WA Agriculture Minister Terry Redman did not refer to letter in the debate.
>> download file

Food Fears - labelling, GM and FSANZ

This investigative piece on ABC Radio National's Background Briefing on called Food Fears has GM as a focus: There's a public inquiry into food labelling, and it opens a Pandora's box of very complex issues. Prawns from China can be labelled 'Made in Australia'! Consumers want more and better labelling, but the food industry wants even fewer rules. And global free trade laws mean truth in content could get worse. Reporter Stephen Crittenden.http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2010/04/bbg_20100418.mp3
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/backgroundbriefing/stories/2010/2871237.htm

EU grain traders letter to WA Govt on GM

Three EU grain traders tell WA Premier Barnett he risks losing EU markets if WA starts growing GM canola.
>> download file

Consumers Union of Japan warns WA Govt

Premier Barnett must stop commercial GM canola or Japanese food co-operatives will buy GM-free canola from other states. The letter argues GM contamination is inevitable.
>> download file

EU grain traders letter to WA Govt

Three EU grain traders tell WA Premier Barnett he risks losing EU markets if WA starts growing GM canola.

EU grain traders letter to WA Govt

Three EU grain traders tell WA Premier Barnett he risks losing EU markets if WA starts growing GM canola.

Food Labelling Review must back GM food labels

April 29: Gene Ethics will give evidence to National Food Labelling Review hearings today in Melbourne. We will ask for all foods made using genetic manipulation (GM) techniques to be labelled, without any exemptions.

Food, Inc review - SBS's At The Movies

Margaret says: ..."It looks at the stories of a woman whose two year old son died of E-Coli poisoning after eating a hamburger; a Latino couple who simply can't afford to buy healthy food because it's dearer than junk food; and a small farmer sued by a giant company for wanting to use his own seed for planting; the company owns the rights to genetically modified soybeans".
http://www.abc.net.au/atthemovies/txt/s2879962.htm

GM-free videos - great new online resource

GMWatch has pulled together a fantastic resource of GM-free videos.

It lists editor's picks, including the full-length doco movie, The World According to Monsanto and a wonderful film about the troubles of Bt cotton and the effects on the poor.

Search via category such as corporations, food safety etc or according to food/crop or speaker.

Food labelling review Gene Ethics submission - late 2009

This submission was made during the first public consultation round in November 2009.

It notes GM foods are among those new ‘Foods Requiring Pre-Market Clearance’ in Standard 1.5. Novel, GM and irradiated foods must undergo FSANZ pre-market health and safety assessments (not testing) as they contain materials and/or manufacturing processes that have no history of safe use in the human food supply. Their novelty and the under-developed safety science, means these foods pose unique risks, not associated with foods that have longer histories of safe use. Australia’s food regulator, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), acknowledges lack of certainty about the products of new food technologies, by often amending their scientific data sheets on these foods.

Food labelling review Gene Ethics submission - late 2009

This submission was made during the first public consultation round in November 2009.

It notes GM foods are among those new ‘Foods Requiring Pre-Market Clearance’ in Standard 1.5. Download the standards. Novel, GM and irradiated foods must undergo FSANZ pre-market health and safety assessments (not testing) as they contain materials and/or manufacturing processes that have no history of safe use in the human food supply. Their novelty and the under-developed safety science, means these foods pose unique risks, not associated with foods that have longer histories of safe use. Australia’s food regulator, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), acknowledges lack of certainty about the products of new food technologies, by often amending their scientific data sheets on these foods.

Out of Hand - Farmers Face the Consequences of a Consolidated Seed Industry

US report, December 2009, by FARMER to FARMER Campaign on Genetic Engineering, author Kristina Hubbard.

Out of Hand - Farmers Face the Consequences of a Consolidated Seed Industry - excerpts

US report, December 2009, by FARMER to FARMER Campaign on Genetic Engineering, author Kristina Hubbard.

Monsanto vs US Farmers

The US Government is investigating Monsanto for anti-trust behaviour.

Attached is a short report into the issues by the Center for Food Safety.

GM-free local councils brief

This document can be used as a basis to start the process of declaring your council a GM-free zone. Includes history and case studies.

Once a council or business is GM-free it can register on our Google map.

A role for Local Government GM-free Zones: Why & How

Locally and regionally, shires, towns and cities can help keep Australia free of
Genetically Manipulated (GM) crops and foods.

Download pdf.

Council Kit

STAYING GM-FREE - A Resource Kit for Local Action.

Review of the Gene Technology Act 2000

Our submission to the Gene Technology Ministerial Council Review of the Gene Technology Act 2000, on behalf of the GM-free Australia Alliance and 235 other organisations and individual signatories.

GM-FREE ZONE PETITION

Download this generic petition to get your council to go GM-free.

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Submissions invited on GM cotton application

FSANZ INVITES PUBLIC COMMENT ON FOOD FROM GM COTTON

Application A1040 Food derived from insect-protected and herbicide-tolerant cotton line GHB119

Submissions should reach FSANZ by Monday 16 August 2010.

World According to Monsanto media information

Five-page media release on the book by Australian publisher Spinifex Press. Includes excerpts and a glossary.

World According to Monsanto media information

Five-page media release on the book by Australian publisher Spinifex Press. Includes excerpts from the book and a glossary.

Rural R&D Productivity Inquiry comments

This succinct submission provides a good summary into GM R&D that has failed to yield, scientific debate being stifled, the problems of increased control over our seeds in the hands of a few and the threat of food scarcity exacerbated by climate change in an environment where industrial agriculture with rising input prices is increasingly unsustainable.

>> download pdf

Glyphosate-resistant weeds in Australia

Chris Preston, Associate Professor in Weed Management at the University of Adelaide, and chair of the Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group, tells ABC Radio National the problems with weeds developing to this popular herbicide used with GM crops.

He says it takes about 15 years for the resistance to develop and has been a problem for some time in the United States. More...

GM farmers revealed on our new map

Gene Ethics has launched an online map to help non-GM growers pinpoint those farms where genetically manipulated canola is growing, after the State Government broke its promise to publish a map of all GM farms.

Comments on the Licence Application DIR 098 for commercial release of a living GM Vaccine

Gene Ethics recommends that the application DIR 098 by SANOFI PASTEUR PTY LTD for the commercial release of a living Genetically Manipulated (GM) Vaccine be rejected. 

>> download pdf

OGTR Proposed Regulatory Amendments comments

The proposed regulatory amendments are substantial and raise serious safety concerns. The OGTR’s proposed amendments and discussion are insufficiently supported by evidence.

Victoria's Draft Biodiversity Strategy

Genetically Manipulated Organisms: real threats to Victorian biodiversity. The international Biosafety Protocol was negotiated because of the threat GM poses to diversity and the Victorian biodiversity strategy must also consider the dangers of GMOs.

>> download pdf

Transgenic Canola Plants Break Free of Farm

Listen to this Scientific American 60-second Science piece on recent GM contamination in the US. Download the podcast

ALP federal election response

The ALP responded to some of our survey questions in a letter.

Being scared of GM. An enviro scientist responds to a science writer

A response to Graeme O’Neill’s “GM scare hots up”, Science Watch, Sunday Herald Sun, 29.12.2002, p30]

>> download pdf

Africa: Genetic Manipulation is not the answer

Gene Ethics Executive Director Bob Phelps explains how GM will not feed the world. He demonstrates how the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other organisations in Africa are in effect furthering colonisation via food rather than giving developing nations what they crave: self-sufficient, sustainable food production.

>> download pdf

Coalition federal election response

The Coalition did not fill in our survey but responded in a letter.

Socialist Alliance federal election survey

Socialist Alliance filled in our GM survey and also provided its Agriculture policy.

Greens GM policy

The Greens submitted their GM policy, last updated November 2009, along with the answers to our federal election 2010 survey.

Greens federal election survey response

The Greens filled in our federal election survey and also have a GM policy that they included with their response.

Gillard and Abbott fail on GM but Greens back precautionary principle

Our survey of the major parties ahead of next week's federal election shows the ALP and the Coalition are very aware of deep community concerns over genetically manipulated organisms. But unlike the Greens, neither Julia Gillard nor Tony Abbott's parties will commit to strengthening the law or regulatory system.

Parties' report card for federal election

We compare the parties' survey responses on GM ahead of the 2010 federal election.

Greens survey response and GM policies

The Greens filled in our survey ahead of the 2010 federal election and attached their comprehensive GM policies from November 2009.

Socialist Alliance survey response and Agriculture policies

The Socialist Alliance filled in our survey ahead of the 2010 federal election and attached their Agriculture policies.

False promises of GM rice research

The Centre for Plant Functional Genomics has not applied to the Office of Gene Technology Regulator for a licence to research or trial salt tolerant rice. Yet the centre wildly claims GM rice 'offers hope for the global food supply'.

Rogue GM canola found on roadsides, eaten by sheep

Feral GM canola weeds have been discovered on roadsides in Victoria. The GM contamination has already started spreading further: upon a later inspection of the GM canola weeds, Geoffrey Carracher, from the Network of concerned Farmers, noticed some of them had been eaten by nearby sheep.

GM salmon - our interview on World Today

GM salmon is set to be approved in the US, but this could not only lead to health issues but also endanger fish species. Listen to Bob Phelps interviewed on The World Today or read the transcript.

GM Soy: Sustainable? Responsible? Key Points

Summary of key points of report lead by Professor Carrasco.

GM Soy: Sustainable? Responsible?

Report by Professor Carrasco et al.

GM soy linked to birth defects, cancer: new study

New revelations from the EU show formula recently found to contain GM here must be labelled.

Monsanto's GM food, formula and canola dumped

To mark UN World Food Day, mothers and shoppers will dump rogue GM canola weeds, and GM contaminated soy infant formula S-26, at Monsanto's headquarters today at noon.

Australia shuns the Biosafety Protocol

Australia shuns the UN Protocol on Biosafety that most countries will adopt in Nagoya, Japan, next week. The protocol is a global quarantine and customs treaty to protect the environment and human health from genetically manipulated organisms (GMOs).

Just Say No to GMO music video

Fantastic music video that will have you rapping "Say no to GMO".

GRDC investment analysis of research, development and extension issues in Australian grain farming systems

Gene Ethics comments on the Grains and Research Development Corporation issues paper: Research, Development and Extension in Australian Grain Farming Systems.

South Australian GM canola 'trials' threaten GM-free status

Bayer Cropscience has applied to 'trial' genetically manipulated herbicide tolerant canola at 21 sites of up to 6 hectares each, in Victoria and 'GM-free' South Australia, from January 2011.

Brumby and Baillieu fail on Genetic Manipulation policies

ALP  Government and Coalition responses to Gene Ethics' GM policy questionnaire for the state election show both are heavily committed to the adoption of GM crops and foods. In stark contrast, the Greens and Socialist Alliance back comprehensive GM-free policies.

Use research to drought-proof our farms and protect our food security - we speak at Govt inquiry

Healthy economies are based on healthy rural ecologies and communities and they're not produced in corporate laboratories

In his concise oral evidence to the Productivity Commission's inquiry into rural R&D, Gene Ethics director Bob Phelps considers a range of topics, including the role of farmers as custodians of our land, the need for sustainable agriculture as limits to our growth increases the cost of oil-dependent and phosphate-limited resources, superweeds resulting from overuse of Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, the buy-up of public assets by biotechnology multinationals and the fact that most Australians are directly fed not by the production of mass-produced food commodities for export by a minority of large-scale farmers but by that 80 per cent of farmers, who produce clean, green food for consumption within Australia.

download pdf>>

Food Labelling laws must be stronger, now

The Food Regulation Ministerial Council received the Blewett report on national Food Labelling Law and Policy in Adelaide recently but did not release it. Gene Ethics calls for immediate publication and says a delay of many months is unacceptable.

GM canola contaminates organic farm

A West Australian organic farmer has found genetically manipulated (GM) canola seeds contaminating nearly two thirds of his arable land. Australian organic standards mandate zero tolerance for any GM so he will consider suing for financial loss, the first case of its kind in Australia.

David vs Monsanto

Great trailer with lots of info about the documentary film on Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser. Percy says he never wanted to farm GM canola but was sued by Monsanto for not paying for the patent after GM canola was found growing on his land.

Labelling report betrays shoppers

The new national food labeling review report ignores public demand for full labelling of all foods made using GM techniques.

Food alert forum - hear Steve Marsh speak

Food alert forum - download foyer for public forum featuring GM decertified organic grower Steve Marsh and an impressive line-up of panellists.

When: Monday, 21 March 7.30pm-9pm

CBH Grain Weekly Comment 3 March 2011

Announces GM-free Australian canola is fetching premiums of $50 a tonne.

$50 premium for non-GM canola

Major grain purchaser Co-operative Bulk Handlers (CBH) confirms that strong demand for non-GM canola has resulted in premiums of $50/tonne over the price for GM canola.

Trust Organics Festival

2 April 2011 festival featuring GM panel discussion.

GM crops and foods: promises, profits and politics

Bob Phelps in the Autumn 2011 issue of the Farm Policy Journal.

Truth in Labelling

Senate Community Affairs Committee into the Food Standards Amendment (Truth in labelling genetically modified material) Bill 2010. Submission February 2011.

Comments on FSANZ Application A1042 Food derived from herbicide-tolerant corn line DAS-40278-9

Gene Ethics asks Food Standards Australia New Zealand to reject application A1042 and to also review its approval of all other approved GM varieties, in the light of new and as yet unassessed evidence of potential harm to human and animal health and safety.

Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada

Authors: Aris A, Leblanc S

Journal: Reproductive Toxicology

Grain traders snub GM canola

Leading grain traders Elders-Toepfer and Glencore Grain have revealed they will refuse to buy any genetically manipulated (GM) canola this year.

GT Act Review 2005

Gene Ethics response to the Gene Technology Act Review issues paper 14/11/05

GT Act Review response

State, Territory and Australian Governments'

Response to the Statutory Review of the Gene Technology Act 2000 and the Gene Technology Agreement 2001.

National Food Plan extension welcome but Ludwig sidelines public input

The deadline for submissions to the National Food Plan has been extended for a month but the Agriculture Minister has broken Gillard Government promises of transparency, fairness and public participation in development of the National Food Plan.

Truck fire spills GM canola at Williams, WA

Several tonnes of genetically manipulated (GM) canola were spilled at Williams WA this week. A fire split the truck trailer and GM canola seed spilled along the roadway and verges.

GM contamination rampant at canola spill site

WA farmer Geoff Reed has seen flocks of parrots feeding on GM canola seed outside his front fence in Williams. The seed, spilled last week, is now germinating on the roadside after rain. Mr Reed has lived on the 400 acre farm all his life. Also today we have confirmation of a new outbreak of GM canola roadside weeds in NSW.

GM canola is a scam

Double-sided A5 summary of the problems with GM canola, with reference to recent contamination incidents in Australia, threats to our competitive advantage and the need for Farmer Protection laws.

GM crops & foods: promises, profits & politics - leaflet

Concise double-sided updated A5 leaflet debunking common myths.

Double food production with agroecological farming - leaflet

Summary of a new UN report that shows agroecological farming can double food production within 10 years, while mitigating climate change and alleviating poverty.
Downloadable double-sided A5 leaflet.

Blewett labelling review response - hierarchy framework issues

In response to the Blewett Label Review report recommendations and their implementation, we propose the following solutions to the questions posed in the Ministerial Council’s discussion paper.

FSANZ sued for failure to give public notice

Gene Ethics and the Safe Food Institute vs Food Standards Australia NZ (FSANZ) are in the federal court in Melbourne tomorrow. FSANZ did not comply with the law that required it to give public notice of its own application for a general review of irradiation food standard.

Japanese send WA 'please explain' on GM canola

The Japanese Seikatsu Club Consumers Co-operative Union and the Green Co-op Consumers Co-operative Union have written to West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, Food and Agriculture Minister Terry Redman and Co-operative Bulk Handlers (CBH) asking for safeguards on GM-free canola supplies but received no response. A delegation of the co-ops from October 12-18 will seek government and industry action to ensure the continued availability of non-GM canola from WA, the leading Australian canola exporting state.

Food security in Commonwealth: GM not the answer

Why countries are rejecting GM aid - the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) starts in Perth, but GM is not an answer to food security in the 54 Commonwealth member states.

National Food Plan leaflet petitioning Ludwig

Leaflet handed out outside the Victorian Rual Press Club this Month, where Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig was guest speaker. Authors: Gene Ethics, MADGE.

Bayer submission comments

Letter accompanying submission on Bayer application.

Food regulator sued for secrecy on food irradiation

Gene Ethics and the Safe Food Institute vs Food Standards Australia NZ (FSANZ) was due to be heard in the Federal Magistrates Court in Melbourne at 10.15am today. The applicants claim FSANZ failed to comply with the law that requires it to give complete and clear public notice. FSANZ admits it had also buried its own general revisions to Food Standard 1.5.2 on genetically manipulated foods within another specific application.

Bayer application submission

Submission to the GTR on DIR 108, 18/10/11 by Gene Ethics on behalf of the GM-Free Australia Alliance and signatories.

Roxon reckless on labelling of novel foods

The federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon has caved in to the overseas-dominated food processing industry by rejecting the Blewett National Labelling Review recommendation that there be a: “distinctive labelling protocol with regard to new food technologies,” to respond to: "further technological innovations in food production.”

Comments to Senate Select Committee on Food Processing Sector

These comments submitted in November 2011 cover the regulatory environment for Australia’s food processing and manufacturing companies including:

• food labelling

• the National Food Plan

Health Ministers must not leave us 'Eating in the Dark'

As the Food Regulation Ministerial Council met last week to adopt

key recommendations of the National Food Labelling review report, Labelling Logic, Gene Ethics called for the adoption of the review's recommendations to label all foods with no track record in the human food supply.

Global GM crops still stalled

Comments to the Office of Gene Technology Regulator on Application DIR111

Submission by Gene Ethics submitted on January 2012.

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement flyer

A5 flyer on the The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement being negotiated among 9 countries and risks regarding GM. Author: Gene Ethics.

Comments to the
 Office of Gene Technology Regulator On Bayer’s Application DIR113

Prepared by Bob Phelps on 26 March 2012

This submission lists a litany of offences that show Bayer is unsuitable to hold GM licences.

Gene Ethics recommends the OGTR reassess Bayer’s suitability to hold GM licences on the basis of Bayer Cropscience AG’s convictions, non-compliance and withdrawn licences around the world.

Why GM-free SA? Forum with Nick Xenophon 16 April

Flyer invitation to Adelaide forum on 16 April 2012 

Monsanto Fire Sale on GM Roundup Ready canola seed

Farmers and shoppers reject Monsanto's herbicide tolerant genetically manipulated (GM) canola so emphatically that the company now gives away GM canola seed in a desperate bid for farmers to grow it. In NSW the company promises to limit direct farmer losses to only $10/tonne and in WA it offers a one for three freebie to sweeten its deal. 

Free Bags of Hybrid Canola Seed: Advertisement

Bags of GM canola seeds given away.

Monsanto letter to NSW farmers

Letter dated 22 March 2012 offering $10/tonne discount price cap on GM canola.

OGTR's summary of the issues raised in submissions received from the public on the consultation for RARMP for DIR 113

The OGTR has responded: “The applicant for licence DIR 113 is Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary company limited by shares.” 

Ignoring the parent company's behaviour globally was clearly not parliament’s intention and the law needs amendment.

The OGTR has issued the licence here

KFC commits to GM-free Australian canola oil

KFC has switched from palm oil to non-GM, high-oleic-acid canola frying oil in its Australian shops. Whether their chickens are fed GM feed we do not yet know. Stay posted.

Food irradiation push faces court challenge

Article by Robin Taubenfeld

KFC commits to GM-free Australian canola oil

KFC has switched from palm oil to non-GM, high-oleic-acid canola frying oil in its Australian shops. Whether their chickens are fed GM feed we do not yet know. Stay posted.

Gene Ethics Join & Give forms

Support Gene Ethics by filling in the form to donate or become a member from $25 a year.

Should we ban GM foods? YES-Bob Phelps - Good Health magazine

Gene Ethics director Bob Phelps on why GM foods should be banned.

Good Health magazine July 2012.

Draft Stakeholder Engagement Strategy for the Joint Australia and New Zealand Food Regulation System

Occupy Monsanto Melbourne rally

Rally on Monday, 17 September 2012 as part of an international day of action.

Occupy Monsanto Monday 17 Sept - international day of action

National Food Plan a disaster for safe, secure, local food

Gene Ethics will comment on the NFP Green Paper, due Sunday, that Government should not have already committed in advance ot GM crops and foods.

National Food Plan - Comments on Green Paper

Gene Ethics comments submitted on behalf of the GM-Free Australia Alliance on 30 September.

Gene Ethics 25th anniversary dinner - flyer

Flyer with link to further information & ticketing for Gene Ethics' 25 Anniversary Dinner on 19 February 2013.

Gene Ethics 25th anniversary dinner - flyer

Flyer with link to further information & ticketing for Gene Ethics' 25 Anniversary Dinner on 19 February 2013.

GM canola struggles for acceptance - harvest news

GM canola plantings fell in the Eastern states this year. NSW figures show GM canola is back to just 7% of total canola seed sales. In 2009 Graincorp welcomed GM canola deliveries to 12 of its silos in Victoria but now it's down to 8 of its 80 sites.

Regulators must assess viral gene hidden in GM crops and foods

Media Release to Science, Food and Rural Journalists

Regulators must assess viral gene hidden in GM crops and foods

Media Release to Science, Food and Rural Journalists

Regulators must assess viral gene hidden in GM crops and foods

Media Release to Science, Food and Rural Journalists

GM industry fudges its figures again

GM industry front group ISAAA has published its 2012 annual reports on GM, which shows a remarkable absence of 2012 statistics, instead recycling figures and empty claims from 2011.