Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional
Services
Final Public Hearing - Media Advice: 23 March 2000
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Regional
Services will conclude its Inquiry into Gene Technology for Primary Producers with a
public hearing on Wednesday, 5 April, from 5.00 p.m. until 6.30 p.m., Committee
Room 1R3, Parliament House, Canberra.
The Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the Genetic Manipulation Advisory
Committee will both present evidence at the public meeting.
The inquiry is examining a number of issues relating to the use and availability of
genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including the importance and competitiveness of
GMOs, their commercialisation and cost, intellectual property protection, and explaining
to the community the value of GMOs. The full terms of reference
for the inquiry.
The Inquiry was developed at the request of the Hon Mark Vaile, the then Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 30 March 1999. Throughout the past year the
Committee has held public hearings in Perth, Melbourne and Canberra and a number of
private meetings.
The House Primary Industries Committee has received more than 80 submissions, including
evidence from Grain Biotechnology, Dairy Research and Development Corporation, National
Farmers' Federation, Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Monsanto, Grains Research
and Development Corporation, Public Health Association, Australian Barley Board, Cotton
Growers Research Association, the Organic Federation of Australia, and State Governments.
The House Committee expects that this Report into gene technology will be released by the
end of June 2000.
For more information about the Committee's activities, including the
transcripts of previous
public hearings and many of the submissions.
For Media Comment contact Fran Bailey, House Committee Chair, on 03 5962 1255.
For Committee and Inquiry background information, contact the
Committee secretariat on 026277 4500
or Media Adviser: Sally Webster (02) 6277 2063, 0401 143 724,
Aff.Reps@aph.gov.au
23 March 2000
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