Genetically cultivated corn: do you have a comment?
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for submissions on an application to permit the sale and use of food derived from a genetically modified (GM) corn line.
Corn line MON94804 has been genetically modified to reduce the plant’s overall height. This potentially provides higher yields, due to improved access for farming equipment and reduced risk of crop losses from high winds and adverse weather.
“If approved, food from this type of GM corn could be imported into Australia and New Zealand via products including starch, grits, meal, flour, oil and sweetener,” said FSANZ CEO Dr Sandra Cuthbert.
“Our safety assessment focused on human food safety and nutritional issues, and found food derived from MON94804 is considered to be as safe for human consumption as food made from conventional non-GM corn cultivars.”
To help people make informed choices, food made from this corn would need to be labelled as “genetically modified” if novel DNA and/or novel proteins were contained in the final food.
FSANZ’s approval would not permit the GM corn to be grown in Australia or New Zealand. Its cultivation would require separate regulatory assessment and approval by the Gene Technology Regulator in Australia and the Environmental Protection Authority in New Zealand.
To have your say on this application, visit the FSANZ consultation hub. Submissions close at 6 pm (AEDT), 30 April 2024.
Poultry market growth: South and Southeast Asia 2030
South and Southeast Asia could play a pivotal role in global poultry market growth through 2030.
Less-gassy cows to help beef and dairy sector reduce emissions
A Curtin University study has revealed breeding less-flatulent cows and restoring agricultural...
Fonterra to close plants in Te Rapa and Waitoa
Dairy farm cooperative Fonterra is closing four plants at manufacturing sites in New Zealand.
