A review of South Australia’s Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004 must be undertaken by 29 April 2008.

A media statement announcing the commencement of the review was released on 28 June 2007. In addition to the media announcement, an advertisement inviting comment was published in the Weekend Australian and the Advertiser on 7 July 2007, in major regional newspapers in the week commencing 9 July 2007 and in the Stock Journal on 12 July 2007. A second media announcement regarding public meeting dates and locations was released on 9 July 2007.

Letters were sent to over 200 organisations and individuals known to be interested in the review informing them that the review had commenced and inviting them to comment. The Invitation to Comment and an Information Paper regarding the review were published on the PIRSA Internet site.

Community meetings were held in Adelaide, Cummins, Kadina, Keith and Parndana to explain why the review is being conducted and to help people understand the issues that the review is addressing.

The initial closing date for lodging submissions was 3 August 2007. On 31 July 2007, Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister, Rory McEwen, announced an extension of the deadline, from 3 August to 17 August 2007, after being approached by individuals and organisations planning to respond to the South Australian review and a similar review being conducted in Victoria.

An email address was established to enable respondents to submit their submissions electronically.

234 submissions had been received by the time the deadline passed. There were:

• 10 from individuals and 3 from organisations on Kangaroo Island
• 39 from individuals and 2 from organisations on the Eyre Peninsula
• 64 from individuals and 16 from organisations from the remainder of SA
• 37 from individuals and 5 from organisations in other States – mainly Victoria
• 32 from national organisations
• 17 from companies
• 9 from individuals who did not indicate where they resided.

A list of these respondents accompanies this report.
Review Respondants A-G
Review Respondants H-Z

480 campaign letters were also received.

Industry consultant Di Davidson, from Davidson Viticulture, has been engaged by the GM Crop Advisory Committee to distil the key messages from the submissions. Ms Davidson’s analysis will be published on this website once it is finalised.

The Advisory Committee will, following consideration of Ms Davidson’s analysis, provide the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Hon Rory McEwen MP with recommendations regarding the regulation of GM food crops in South Australia beyond April 2008.

Inquiries regarding the review can be directed to the Executive Officer of the GM Crop Advisory Committee by
Telephone: (08 8207 2361)
Fax: (08 8463 3366)

or email (opens new addressed email).

Information about the Review (PDF file, 89kb)