At tomorrow’s Agriculture Minister’s Forum, State and Federal Agriculture Ministers will discuss proposed changes to our Gene Technology Regulations that will make Australia the first country in the world to deregulate genetically modified animals.
The Federal Government is proposing deregulating a range of new genetic modification (GM) techniques such as CRISPR that are being referred to as Site Directed Nucleases 1 (SDN-1). Experiments using these techniques have resulted in high animals having very low live-birth rates; abnormal sizes – rendering animals incapable of natural movement; respiratory and cardiac problems; and extra spinal vertebra. Under the Federal Government’s proposal anyone would be able to use these techniques with no regulatory oversight.
These new GM techniques pose major risks to animal welfare, the environment and human health that need to be properly assessed. Europe and New Zealand will be regulating these techniques and so should Australia.
Take action!
Contact your State and Federal Agriculture Ministers and ask them to reject the proposed deregulation of these new GM techniques – a phone call is always more effective than an email:
David Littleproud, Federal Agriculture Minister
02 6277 7630
minister@agriculture.gov.au
ACT
Mick Gentleman
02 620 50218
NSW
The Hon. Niall Blair, MLC
02 8574 7190
NT
The Hon Ken Vowles
08 8936 5680
QLD
Mark Furner MP
(07) 3719 7420
SA
Hon Tim Whetstone
08 8226 2931
TAS
Guy Barnett, MP
(03) 6165 7678
guy.barnett@parliament.tas.gov.au
Vic
The Hon Jaclyn Symes, MP
(03) 5783 2000
jaclyn.symes@parliament.vic.gov.au
WA
The Hon Alannah MacTiernan MP
(08) 6552-6200
Minister.MacTiernan@dpc.wa.gov.au
