Slow Food Australia is leading the charge to stop changes to the regulation of genetically modified food and is calling for supporters to voice their concerns.
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The not-for-profit group is concerned the Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019 - which will be put before federal senators next month, will reduce regulation around genetically modified food and open the door to health concerns for humans and animals.
It says there is scientific evidence that new Genetically Modified (GM) techniques have risks attached to them that need to be assessed and managed by independent experts. It wants gene-edited organisms to go through a stringent safety assessment before they are released into supermarkets and the environment.
Greens Senator Janet Rice moved a motion to disallow the amendment in federal parliament last week. The amendment will come before the Senate again on September 17.
Slow Food Hunter Valley has joined the campaign and urged concerned shoppers to send the following letter to shadow health minister Chris Bowen.
Slow Food Earth Market Maitland chairwoman Amorelle Dempster said the city needed to urge Mr Bowen to encourage his party colleagues to disallow the amendment.
Click here to read about Ms Dempster's concerns.
She said residents could copy and past the letter below, or, write their own letter to him.
To The Hon Chris Bowen, We need Labour's support to disallow this amendment.
I am writing on behalf of Slow Food in Australia a Global Movement opposing GMO's being introduced into the food chain without adequate regulation and scant consideration to human health.
Please disallow the Gene Technology Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2019.
If you allow these amendments to pass, our families risk eating untested, unlabelled genetically modified (GM) foods - including animals. Powerful scientific evidence shows that new GM techniques such as CRISPR pose risks that require expert assessment and management. It's vital that gene edited organisms are assessed for safety before being released into our environment and supermarkets. The future health of our children and grandchildren rests on the decisions you make on their behalf in your role as our shadow minister representing us on all matters that relate to human health. I know this must weigh heavily on you, but the politics of appeasing big business must outweigh the benefits to future generations for good health outcomes from the food system.
Mr Bowen's postal address is: PO Box W210 Fairfield, NSW, 2165
His email is: chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au