SA: Local farmers want GM food watchdog to be independent

AAP General News (Australia)
08-22-2000
SA: Local farmers want GM food watchdog to be independent

ADELAIDE, Aug 22 AAP - South Australian farmers don't want the regulation of genetically
modified (GM) food to be funded by the food industry to ensure its independence.

The South Australian Farmers Federation told a Senate committee that the federal government's
office of the gene technology regulator should be funded through general revenue.

"This would ensure the wider community has confidence in the independence of the office,"

the federation told the Senate Community Affairs References Committee which is considering
federal government legislation to regulate gene technology.

The alternative, to recover the cost from the industry itself, would leave the office
open to allegations that it might be influenced by industry.

However, SA farmers said they strongly supported the need for a strong legislative
framework for GM foods which would instill confidence in the community and protect the
environment.

They also called for state legislation to reflect the proposed Commonwealth laws to
offer both consistency and certainty to the community and to those wishing to access the
new technology.

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KEYWORD: GENETIC SA

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