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August 2008 Letters to the Editor - 22/08/08 - GM today delivers choice. August 2008 Information Paper 14 - GM crops and climate change Climate change and its current and potential impacts have an increasing profile globally. A growing number of countries are looking to implement policies and actions aimed at managing the impacts of climate change. This fact sheet aims to explore the implications climate change may have on global agriculture and the role gene technology could play in contributing to climate change solutions. August 2008 GM canola resources guide updated The following is a reference guide, providing information about the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) canola in Australia. The guide provides a brief summary of the information available on the GM canola varieties available in Australia, including the history of their development, industry guidelines for managing GM canola in the supply chain, agronomic and market issues, the science behind the canola and the overseas experience. June 2008 GM canola, local government and choice Genetically modified (GM) canola will be planted commercially for the first time in 2008 over a small area in NSW and Victorian canola-growing regions. This development has seen a number of local government authorities reconsider the option of so-called Genetic Engineering (GE) Free Zones. This fact sheet considers GE Free Zones and the implications such zones have in relation to consumer and producer choice. Legal, economical and logistical issues are also raised. May 2008 In 2007, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria reviewed their moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM crops (or GM canola). Read an overview of each states review outcome. April 2008 The Australian Lot Feeders Association policy position statement is now available. April 2008 The Gene Technology workshops flyer has been updated with the latest information. November 2007 The Tasmanian Farmers & Graziers Association (TFGA) policy position on Gene Technology was reached after considerable research and extended consultation across internal committee structures, a public forum and members workshop. October 2007 2007 AFAA Moratoria Review submissions Principles for process management of grain within the Australian supply chain (604 KB) A guide for industry in an environment where GM and non-GM grain is marketed. Delivering Market Choice with GM canola (861 KB) An industry report prepared under the Single Vision Grains Australia process. Information Paper 12 GM crops and markets Following the approval of two herbicide tolerant GM canola varieties by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) in 2003, concerns about the market impact of GM canola led to moratoria being imposed by governments on the commercial production of the GM canolas in Australia's key canola producing states. These concerns and the market realities are investigated in this information paper. New updated edition of “Gene Technology in Australia: Fact not Fiction” now available. Download here (5.45 MB) or order online now. April 2007 The April GMOs bi-monthly horticultural newsletter is now available. February 2007 The February GMOs bi-monthly horticultural newsletter is now available. December 2006 The December GMOs bi-monthly horticultural newsletter is now available. December 2006 Australia is experiencing a severe drought and crop production forecasts have been reduced significantly. The latest ABARE forecast states that current canola production is estimated to be 440,000 tonnes, 69 per cent lower than last year. As a result of reduced production, import approvals have been sought to bring products into the country to meet local needs. October 2006 The October GMOs bi-monthly horticultural newsletter is now available. BAYER CROPSCIENCE ENTERS GM COTTON MARKET - 08/08/06 The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has approved the commercial release of a genetically modified (GM) herbicide tolerant cotton developed by Bayer CropScience Pty Ltd on an unrestricted basis. This includes breeding, cultivation, transport, storage, supply and sale of the cotton and its products anywhere in Australia. Known as Liberty Link®, the cotton has been modified by the introduction of a herbicide tolerance gene that enables GM cotton plants to be sprayed with glufosinate ammonium to kill weeds without damaging the crop. Glufosinate ammonium is the active constituent of the herbicides Liberty®, Basta® and Finale®. The OGTR operates in an integrated regulatory framework with other regulatory authorities that have complementary responsibility and specialist expertise. The applicant will require approval from the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to apply glufosinate ammonium to Liberty Link® cotton for weed control. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has approved the use of oil and linters derived from Liberty Link® cotton in human food. Cultivation of this GMO may require additional approvals under State or Territory legislation that restrict the commercial release of GM crops on marketing grounds. For more information - www.ogtr.gov.au/ir/dir062.htm NSW Farmers vote to lift GM crop ban - 01/08/06 At its recent annual conference, the New South Wales Farmers' Association passed four motions in relation to GM crops, they were that the Association: lobby the Primary Industries Ministerial Council to set adventitious presence levels of GM for all crops; investigate the development of a practical, objective and inexpensive 'on-farm' GM detection test; implement an encompassing farmer education and awareness campaign regarding GM canola before the end of the current moratorium; and, call for the immediate lifting of the moratorium on GM crops in NSW. For more information: www.nswfarmers.org.au August 2006 The August GMOs bi-monthly horticultural newsletter is now available.