AUSTRALIA: GM trial sites to be made public after secrecy applications dismissed

Australia's Gene Technology Regulator has dismissed all the commercial-in-confidence applications it received that sought to keep secret the location of 87 GM trial sites across the country. Liz Cain, acting Gene Technology Regulator, revealed that the applications failed to meet the strict new tests introduced in June that are designed to determine whether it would be in the best interests of all involved for the trials to remain secret. She explained to the

August 15, 2001

Australia’s Gene Technology Regulator has dismissed all the commercial-in-confidence applications it received that sought to keep secret the location of 87 GM trial sites across the country.

Liz Cain, acting Gene Technology Regulator, revealed that the applications failed to meet the strict new tests introduced in June that are designed to determine whether it would be in the best interests of all involved for the trials to remain secret. She explained to the Herald and Weekly Times: “None of the applicants provided any evidence that would enable me to be satisfied that “significant damage” would “be likely” to occur to the health and safety of people, the environment or to property if the locations were disclosed.”

Biotech groups including Monsanto and GlaxoSmithKline, and the Universities of Western Australia and Queensland now have 28 days to appeal the decision before the locations are made public on the Office of Gene Technology Regulator website.