How will the new legislation affect the roles of the current regulatory bodies?
The new legislation will operate alongside existing regulatory systems for the regulation of food, therapeutic goods, agricultural and veterinary chemicals and industrial chemicals. Existing regulators will still regulate products and/or activities covered by existing legislation. However, existing regulators will be required to work closely with the Office of Gene Technology Regulator (GTR) to harmonise risk assessment on GMOs and GM products. This working arrangement will include the sharing of databases and the requirement for existing regulators to take into account the advice of the GTR when considering applications for GMOs and GM products.
