7-Business: Study helps Australian industry segregate GM and non-GMproducts

[GENET <coordination@genet-info.org>]

-------------------------------- GENET-news -------------------------------

TITLE:  Study helps industry segregate GM and non-GM products
SOURCE: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Australia
        Press Release AFFA03/351WT
        http://www.affa.gov.au/ministers/truss/releases/03/03351wt.html
DATE:   Nov 28, 2003

------------------- archive: http://www.genet-info.org/ -------------------


Study helps industry segregate GM and non-GM products

A newly completed Australian Government study will help agriculture
industries develop quality control systems that can identify, trace and
segregate GM and non-GM products across supply chains, Agriculture
Minister Warren Truss announced today.

Mr Truss said the study - Gap Analysis in relation to Quality Management
for the Supply Chain Management of Genetically Modified (GM) products -
was funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
(DAFF), and undertaken by consultants Tasmanian Quality Assured Inc. (TQA).

"TQA's research involved analysing a range of quality management systems,
and developing an auditing tool for agriculture industries to assess the
ability of supply chains to maintain the integrity of GM and non-GM
products" he said.

"The research includes four case studies that evaluate supply chain
quality management systems currently in use and assesses their
effectiveness in segregating GM products.

"The case studies relate to the cotton, canola and poppy industries, as
well as pasture feeding in the dairy industry, and are designed to
provide people with practical guidance in setting up their own quality
management systems."

Mr Truss said the Gene Technology Regulator's approval for commercial
release of GM canola means it is important that Australia's agriculture
industries have access to the latest information relating to quality
management systems.

"It is important agriculture industries are able to maintain and improve
market access and ensure that their products comply with market
requirements for GM and non-GM commodities and food," he said.

"Among other things, that means the ability to develop and implement
appropriate supply chain arrangements."

Mr Truss said the study is part of the Australian Government's ongoing
commitment to ensuring Australian agriculture industries have access to
accurate, balanced and reliable information on GM products and processes
so that informed decisions can be made.

Hard copies of Gap Analysis in relation to Quality Management for the
Supply Chain Management of Genetically Modified (GM) products, are
available by emailing agbiotech@affa.gov.au. There is no charge.

Copies can also be downloaded from the DAFF web site - www.daff.gov.au/
agbiotech - or obtained by contacting Dan Quinn on (02) 6272 4099.




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