Reply on my letter to the minister:

GM contamination in WA
Dear mr Redman,

I am shocked to read about the contamination of the organic farms who are close to farmers that use GM seeds.
I am totally against it and although I try to be a very environmental friendly person I rather buy non local food with the stamp GM free on it (with long food miles and therefore not sustainable) than go for not labeled local processed food like oil, pasta and other foods.
I have a big scare for the future in buying bread when the GM wheat will be contaminating WA.
Please consider a growing group of people who are aware of what's happening with GM and don't like to consume it or their children but where do we go if contamination is so easy???
When more people are aware of this it will be hard to turn back the clock, please consider sharper rules for those who work with GM and allow suitable distance to avoid contamination and please fight for labeling the food so I can buy local again!

Thank you,
Regards,
Wilma van Boxtel
Claremont
WA
Click to enlarge and read

Update: And one from Minister Redman


And a reply from OGTR@health.gov.au

Dear Ms van Boxtel,
Notification of decision on licence application DIR 105 from Monsanto for limited and controlled release of genetically modified (GM) canola

I am writing to thank you for your submission on the consultation version of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) prepared in relation to licence application DIR 105 from Monsanto Australia Ltd (Monsanto). The assessment of this application has been completed in accordance with the requirements of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act) and a licence was issued on 22 December 2010.

Licence DIR 105 permits a limited and controlled release of a canola line that has been genetically modified for herbicide tolerance. The trial is authorised to take place over four years, from March 2011 to December 2014, with up to 2 sites in the first year, 8 sites in the second and third years, and 20 sites in the fourth year. Sites will be a maximum area of 4 ha in the first year and 10 ha in subsequent years, and will be located in 46 possible local government areas (LGAs) in New South Wales, 28 possible LGAs in Victoria and 53 possible LGAs in Western Australia. Material from the GM canola will not be permitted to be used for human food or animal feed.

Licence conditions

The licence is subject to two types of conditions:

statutory conditions set out in sections 63, 64 and 65 of the Gene Technology Act 2000 (the Act); and
specific conditions described in the RARMP, relating to matters set out in section 62.
Response to comments on the RARMP
Following the Notification of Application issued on 29 July 2010, in accordance with section 52 of the Act, the consultation RARMP for DIR 105 was released for comment on 15 October 2010 with written submissions sought by 26 November 2010.

All State and Territory Governments, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee (GTTAC), relevant Australian Government agencies, relevant local councils and the Australian Government Minister for the Environment were consulted on the finalisation of the RARMP and asked to provide comment.

The public consultation process undertaken in relation to the RARMP exceeded the requirements of the Act and included media advertisements in national and regional newspapers, postings on the OGTR website and direct mail or email to interested parties who have registered on the OGTR mailing list.

In accordance with Section 56 of the Act, all submissions received during the consultation process were taken into account in finalising the RARMP and reaching the decision to issue the licence.

The advice received was considered in the context of current scientific information in assessing the risks to the health and safety of people or the environment that may be posed by the proposed dealings.

The finalised RARMP concludes that this limited and controlled release poses negligible risks to people and the environment. However, licence conditions have been imposed to limit the trial to the size, locations and duration requested by the applicant, as these were important considerations in the evaluation process.

Appendix B of the RARMP summarises public submissions and indicates where issues raised relating to risks to human health and safety or the environment were considered in the document. I enclose a copy of Appendix B for your reference (at Attachment A). Your comments in your submission are included as submission number 4.

The finalised RARMP and the licence are available on-line (www.ogtr.gov.au) under ‘What’s New’, or on request from my Office. I enclose the Executive Summary of the finalised RARMP (at Attachment B) and a set of Questions and Answers (at Attachment C) on the decision for your information.

Thank you for your contribution to the regulatory process. Should you have any queries about the issuing of this licence, please do not hesitate to contact the OGTR help-line on 1800 131 030.

Yours sincerely
Dr Joe Smith
Gene Technology Regulator
22 December 2010

Attachments:
Attachment A: Appendix B of finalised Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan for DIR 105
Attachment B: Executive summary of finalised Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
Attachment C: Questions and Answers on this decision