Who is responsible for regulating GMOs and GM products in Australia?
Several government agencies are responsible for ensuring that all genetically modified organisms and products are assessed for public and environmental safety. The main regulators are: The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) is responsible for administering organisms and the Gene Technology Act 2000, which has as its object, to protect the health and safety of people, and to protect the environment, by identifying risks posed by gene technology, and by managing those risks through regulating certain dealings with GMOs. (www.ogtr.gov.au) Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), supported by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority Act (1991), works with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council (ANZFSC), to develop and maintain laws and systems which ensure the safety, and regulate the labelling, of food, in Australia and New Zealand. (www.foodstandards.gov.au) Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) administers the Trade Practices Act (1974) and the
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