The regrowth breaches federal government guidelines on genetically modified organisms. Ms Stevens says she cannot rule out cross-pollination of other plant species. If you grow them side by side they will cross-pollinate, but the main thing is that the risk has been maintained, the plants have not escaped and certainly the weeds have been controlled. Greens Senator, Bob Brown has called on the Federal Health Minister, Michael Wooldridge, to explain what action has been taken to control the spread of GM plant material. The problem here is secrecy and lack of monitoring.
Row widens The row over genetically modified crop trials in Tasmania has widened.
The multinational crop company, Monsanto, has admitted to breaching Federal guidelines for conducting gene technology trials. The Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has found Monsanto and another company, Aventis, did not carry out adequate clean up procedures at 11 Tasmanian sites used for trials of genetically engineered canola. The findings have outraged the Tasmanian Government, which is investigating if there are any grounds for prosecution under state quarantine laws. The State Environment Minister is standing by his claim his department had no information about how many trials there were in Tasmania or where they were being held. However, the Interim Office of the Gene Technology Regulator says David Llewellyn's department was given all information relevant to the trials before they were approved.