Facts & Figures
• Ingard® cotton (a genetically modified crop) was first approved for commercial use in Australia in 1996. Currently Bt cotton makes up 30% of Australia’s cotton crop, as this pest-resistant cotton is capped ... as part of a strategy to limit the emergence of resistance in target insects.

• Australia has approved the use of genetically modified yeasts and bacteria for the production of cheeses and wine for some years. The following products from genetically modified crops are also used in foods on sale in Australia: cotton seed oil, soybeans, canola oil, corn, potatoes, and sugar beet. All of these, except cotton seed oil, are sourced from overseas. There are currently no genetically modified fresh fruit, vegetables, or meat sold in Australia.

• Genetic engineering can also be used to increase the amount of particular nutrients (like vitamins) in food crops. Research into this technique, which is sometimes called ‘nutritional enhancement’, is now at an advanced stage. Researchers are especially looking at major health problems like iron and vitamin A deficiency. The removal of the protein in peanuts that causes allergies in some people is also being researched.

• There is a need to produce inexpensive, safe and nutritious foods to help feed the world’s growing population. Genetic modification may provide better quality food; higher yields; inexpensive and nutritious food, like carrots with more antioxidants; foods with a greater shelf life, like tomatoes that taste better and last longer; food with medicinal benefits, such as edible vaccines; and crops and produce that require less chemical application.

• Genetically modified foods are potentially better for the environment. By using genetically engineered crops that are resistant to attack by pests or disease, farmers and primary producers do not have to apply large amounts of pesticides and chemicals to the surrounding environment. Crops are also being produced which are resistant to particular herbicides and pesticides and this may reduce the amount of pesticides used.

• Some concerns that have been raised by scientists, community groups and members of the public include: new allergens could be inadvertently created; antibiotic resistance may develop; cross breeding may occur between GM crops and surrounding vegetation, including weeds; pesticide resistant insects; biodiversity – upsetting the balance of wildlife and the environment; and cross contamination with non-GM crops.

• Concerns about genetic modification include: the possible monopolisation of the world food market by large multinational companies that control the distribution of GM seeds; using genes from animals in plant foods may pose ethical, philosophical or religious problems e.g. eating traces of genetic material from pork could be a problem for certain religious groups; animal welfare could be adversely affected e.g. cows given more potent GM growth hormones could suffer from health problems related to growth or metabolism; and new GM organisms could be patented so that life could become commercial property through patenting.

• Since December 2002, the law in Australia states that food labels must show if food has been genetically modified or contains genetically modified ingredients, or whether GM additives or processing aids remain in the final food.

• Many foods on supermarket shelves contain imported GM ingredients. A variety of GM foods have also been approved for production in Australia. Current applications and approvals for GM foods include corn, soybeans, potatoes and canola. Others are still awaiting approval. Imported food products are subject to the same regulations as domestically manufactured foods.

• There are around 20 GM foods, additives, flavourings, growth hormone (bovine somatotropin) and enzymes (like rennet, used to make cheese) currently approved in Europe. In the USA, there are more than 40 approved GM foods.

• Food Standards Australia has approved genetically modified varieties of canola, cotton (used in cooking oil), corn, potato, soybean and sugar beet.

• GM canola and cotton can be grown in Australia; the others may be in imported products.

• Food with more than 1 per cent novel DNA or protein must be labelled genetically modified. This doesn’t include food from animals fed on GM feed or food where GM content has been removed during manufacturing process (such as cooking oils made with GM canola or cotton).

• In Europe all food and animal feed must be labelled genetically modified if it has at least 0.9 per cent of GM ingredients. Food containing GM derivatives that may not show up in testing, such as sugar and oils, must be labelled.

• The US, which has had GM food for several years, does not require specific labelling.

• Genetically modified food crops have been grown on a trial basis in Australia for more than a decade.

• Non-food GM crops of cotton and blue carnations are grown commercially in Australia.

• Australia imports GM foods including soybeans, corn, potatoes, canola and cotton, but modified fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish are not allowed.