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Update
The committee started this inquiry just over a year ago at the request of the Minister for
Agriculture at the time, the Hon Mark Vaile, MP. The inquiry is now nearing completion,
with the committee expecting to present its report to the Parliament in the middle of the
year.
The Minister asked the committee to examine the use of genetically modified (GM) crops and
animals in agriculture. Among the topics the committee is considering are the benefits of
using gene technology in agriculture, the provision of information to the community about
gene technology, and how GM varieties are made available to farmers.
The committee has received over 80 written submissions from individuals, academics,
researchers, businesses, primary producer groups including organic farmers, state
governments, and Commonwealth government departments. Since last July, the committee has
also held private meetings and public hearings in Canberra, Melbourne and Perth with some
of those who made submissions.
The committee has heard about what needs to be done in Australia and internationally to
help get Australian research to market and how regulation, patents and plant breeders'
rights contribute to this. Farmer representatives have told the committee about their
access to GM crops, and organic farmers have outlined their worries about gene technology.
The committee took a break from this inquiry last November, while it completed a report on
another inquiry it was conducting. In March it resumed its program of public hearings,
which it has now completed.
Comments to: Committee Secretary on PH: 02 6277 4500 or FAX: 02 6277 4424
or e-mail: Primary.Industries.Reps@aph.gov.au
Last reviewed 6 April 2000 by the Committee Secretariat
Commonwealth of Australia
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