|
|
|
Australia agrees to soften GM labelling laws
10 May 2002
At an international GM standards meeting in Canada, Australian delegates have indicated that they will support a US proposal that only foods considered a health hazard or which have significantly modified composition will require labelling.
Australian health ministers had previously agreed to regulations requiring the labelling of products with any detectable GM material. The new regulations are to come into effect in December this year.
The Australian Consumers' Association has reacted strongly to the Australian delegates' support of the watered-down US proposals. The ACA's food policy officer, Rebecca Smith, says that it undermines the domestic approach to GM labelling. There has obviously been pressure from trade interests to get a lesser standard adopted internationally, she said, which is a concern for our Australian standards. If the Australian standard is more rigorous it could be challenged under World Trade Organisation rules.
ABC Online, 10/05/2002.
|
|
