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AUS – VIC MORATORIA REVIEW PROCESS
16 July 2007. Source: Victorian Government
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/etc
On 22 May, the Victorian Government appointed an independent panel to review the Victorian moratorium on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) canola. The Department of Primary Industries has now announced its review process.
The Victorian Government has stated that discussions with relevant key stakeholders (including industry organisations, academic experts and community and special interest groups) will be arranged by the panel to investigate their views of the main issues.
The panel will examine the relevant literature, assess data and gather evidence from public submissions and stakeholder discussions. This information will provide important input to the review process.
According to the Victorian Government, the terms of reference for the review are:
- assess the economic impacts on Victoria of the moratorium on GM canola
- assess the expected economic impacts of:
- allowing the moratorium to expire
- extending the moratorium
- recommend whether Government should allow the moratorium to expire or be extended
- recommend any complementary policies and practices that are required to address the consequences of the moratorium ending.
To provide a context for its report, the review will:
- Describe the existing regulatory framework governing the release of genetically modified organisms
- Summarise research findings on the extent of commercialisation of genetically modified organisms in Australia and overseas and assessments of the economic, health and environmental impacts that have resulted.
The review panel will submit its report to the Minister for Agriculture.
The deadline for submissions to the review panel is 17 August 2007.
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