Source: http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/fullhtml/inforce/act+12+2003+pt.1-sec.5+0+N
Timestamp: 2013-05-19 20:14:41
Document Index: 216495529

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2']

Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003 No 12
Current version for 21 June 2011 to date (accessed 20 May 2013 at 06:14).
Note:The Act expires on 1.7.2021 — see section
File last modified 21 June 2011.
5 Food plants
Part 2 Moratorium on commercial cultivation of GM food
Division 1 Moratorium
6 Moratorium on commercial cultivation of licensed GM food
7 Offence of contravening prohibition on commercial
cultivation of licensed GM food plants
7A Approval of licensed GM food plants for commercial
8 Exemptions from operation of section 6
9 Notification of making an order
10 Commencement of order
11 Order cannot be challenged
12 Director-General to keep register of orders
13 Expert Committee on Gene Technology
13A Confidentiality
13B Disclosure of pecuniary interests
Division 2 Enforcement of moratorium
14 Minister’s directions
15 Offence—failure to comply with Minister’s
16 Costs of complying with Minister’s
17 Appeal to Supreme Court
18 Direction cannot be challenged
19 Certificate is conclusive proof that plant is genetically
Division 3 Other offences
20 Offence—disposal of offending plants
21 Offence—failure to report contravention of section
24 Provisions relating to exercise of powers
25 Requirement to provide information and records
26 Power of inspectors to require answers
27 Power to demand name and address
28 Limitation on self-incrimination
29 Search warrants
30 Offences—enforcement
31 Disposal of seized items
32 Injunctions to prevent contravention of Act
32A Special protection from liability for spread of GM food
33 No compensation payable
34 Summary proceedings for offences
35 Penalty notices for certain offences
36 Onus of proof concerning reasonable excuse
39 Describing plants
40 Savings, transitional and other provisions
43 Expiry of Act
An Act to enable a moratorium to be imposed on the cultivation of
certain genetically modified plants; and for other
purposes.Part 1 Preliminary1 Name of ActThis Act is the Gene Technology
(GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003.2 Commencement(1) This Act commences on the date of assent, except as provided by
subsection (2).(2) Schedule 2.1 and 2.3 commence on the commencement of Division 4 of
Responsibilities) Act 2002.3 Object of ActThe object of this Act is to establish a regime to
regulate:(a) the commercial cultivation of licensed GM food plants,
(b) the conduct of experiments on licensed GM food
in New South Wales for marketing purposes.4 Definitions(1) In this Act:approved GM
food plant means a GM food plant approved for commercial cultivation
under section 7A.cultivate a
plant, includes plant, tend, nurture or harvest the plant.deal with,
in relation to a crop or GM food plant, has a meaning that corresponds to
deal with, in
relation to a GMO, under the Gene Technology Act
2000 of the Commonwealth.Department means the Department
of Industry and Investment.director of
a corporation means a person who is a director of the corporation within the
2001 of the Commonwealth.Director-General means the
Director-General of the Department.exemption
order means an order in force under section 8.exercise a
function includes perform a duty.Expert
Committee means the New South Wales Expert Committee on Gene
Technology established under section 13.food plant
has the meaning given by section 5.function
includes a power, authority or duty.gene
technology has the same meaning as in the Gene Technology Act 2000 of the
Commonwealth.GM food
plant means a food plant that has been genetically modified, that
is, a food plant that:(a) has been modified by gene technology, or
(b) has inherited from another plant particular traits that occurred
in that other plant because of gene technology.
licence has the same meaning as it has in the Gene Technology Act 2000 of the
Commonwealth.inspector
means an inspector appointed under section 22.licensed GM
food plant means a GM food plant in respect of which a GMO licence
is in force authorising dealings with the GM food plant that are inherently
necessary for commercial cultivation of the GM food plant.non-GM food
plant means a food plant that is not a GM food plant.plant includes
the seed or any part of a plant whether living or dead and whether attached to
a plant or not.relevant
industry, in relation to a licensed GM food plant or class of
licensed GM food plants, means an industry or sector of an industry dealing
with or proposing to deal with the licensed GM food plant or class of licensed
GM food plants.(2) Notes included in this Act do not form part of this
Act.5 Food plantsFor the purposes of this Act, a food plant is a species or variety of
plant that the Minister is satisfied is, when grown in New South Wales,
primarily grown to be used (whether or not after processing) as, or as an
ingredient of, food for human consumption.Part 2 Moratorium on commercial cultivation of GM food
plantsDivision 1 Moratorium6 Moratorium on commercial cultivation of licensed GM food
plantsThe cultivation in New South Wales of a licensed GM food plant is
prohibited unless:(a) the GM food plant has been approved for commercial cultivation
under section 7A, or
(b) cultivation of the GM food plant is permitted by an exemption
order under section 8.
cultivation of licensed GM food plantsA person who cultivates a plant that is a GM food plant in
contravention of section 6 knowing, or being reckless as to whether, the plant
is a licensed GM food plant is guilty of an offence.Maximum penalty: in the case of a corporation, 1,250 penalty units
or, in any other case, 500 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years, or
both.7A Approval of licensed GM food plants for commercial
cultivation(1) On application by a representative of a relevant industry the
Minister may, by order published in the Gazette, declare that a specified
licensed GM food plant, or class of licensed GM food plants, is approved for
commercial cultivation in all or part of New South
Wales.(2) The application must:(a) be made in writing, and
(b) address the criteria specified in subsection (3),
(c) be accompanied by the fee (if any) prescribed by the regulations,
(d) be supported by documentation verifying the applicant’s
status as a representative of the relevant industry
(3) The Minister must not make a declaration under this section unless
the Minister is satisfied that the relevant industry meets the following
criteria:(a) the relevant industry has adequately identified the requirements
demanded by key domestic and international markets for the GM food
(b) the relevant industry has identified the threshold levels for the
accidental or unintended presence of GM traits in food plants that are
acceptable in those key domestic and international
(c) the relevant industry has, or is capable of having, supply chain
management processes in place that adequately address those requirements,
including (if it is a market requirement that GM food plants and non-GM food
plants be segregated) processes to segregate GM food plants and non-GM food
(d) any approvals or any other form of authorisation required by or
under any law of the key domestic or international markets relating to the
importation of GM food plants have been, or can be,
(e) the relevant industry meets any other criteria prescribed by the
(4) Before making a declaration under this section, the Minister must
request the Expert Committee to provide advice (not later than 28 days after
the request) in relation to whether or not:(a) the relevant industry meets the criteria referred to in subsection
(b) the GM food plant is authorised or permitted to be cultivated in
another State or a Territory under a law of that State or
and must take into account any advice provided by the Expert Committee
before the end of that 28 day period (the initial request
period).(5) The Minister must (subject to subsections (6) and (7)) determine
the application for a declaration within 14 days after the end of the initial
request period (the initial
determination period).(6) At any time before the end of the initial determination period,
the Minister may request the Expert Committee to provide, within 14 days (the
period), further advice or information on the matters
concerned.(7) The Minister must (irrespective of whether or not the Expert
Committee has provided the further advice or information as requested)
determine the application not later than 14 days after the end of the further
request period.(8) Subsection (4) does not limit the factors that the Minister may
take into account in deciding whether or not to make a declaration under
subsection (1).(9) An order under this section in relation to a licensed GM food
plant is automatically revoked if the GMO licence in respect of the GM food
plant is suspended or cancelled by the Regulator under the Gene Technology Act 2000 of the
Commonwealth.(10) An order under this section may be revoked by the Minister only if
the Minister is satisfied, after consulting with and taking into account any
advice of the Expert Committee, that the relevant industry concerned no longer
meets one or more of the criteria referred to in subsection
(3).(11) The Minister’s determination of, or failure or refusal to
determine, an application or decision to revoke an order under this section
may not be challenged, reviewed, quashed or called into question before any
court of law or administrative review body in any proceedings or restrained,
removed or otherwise affected by any proceedings.(12) The Minister is to make public the reasons for making, or
revoking, an order under this section.Editorial
note. For orders under this section see Gazette No 33 of 14.3.2008, p
2267.8 Exemptions from operation of section 6(1) The Minister may by order published in the Gazette (an exemption order)
confer exemptions from the operation of section 6 to permit the cultivation of
a licensed GM food plant for the principal purpose of conducting
experiments.(2)–(5) (Repealed)(6) An exemption may be conferred so as to apply to a specified person
or class of persons or within a specified area or in any other specified way.
An exemption may be conferred subject to conditions or
unconditionally.(6A) Without limiting subsection (6), an exemption order may be subject
to conditions that relate to one or more of the following:(a) the handling, storage, transport or other use (including
destruction or disposal) of any GM food plant that is permitted to be
cultivated by the exemption order,
(b) the ongoing use or monitoring of any land on which any such plant
has been cultivated.
(6B) (Repealed)(6C) A person who cultivates, or has cultivated, a GM food plant as
permitted by an exemption order must not, without reasonable excuse,
contravene, or cause or permit any other person to contravene, any condition
to which the exemption order is subject.Maximum penalty: in the case of a corporation, 1,250 penalty units
both.(6D) A person cannot be prosecuted for both an offence against
subsection (6C) and an offence against section 7 in relation to the same act
or omission.(7) The cultivation of a GM food plant as permitted by an exemption
order is not prohibited by section 6.(8) (Repealed)Editorial
note. For exemption orders published under this section, see Gazette No
147 of 1.12.2005, pp 9857, 9858.9 Notification of making an order(1) As soon as practicable after making an order under this Division
and publishing it in the Gazette, the Minister must cause notice of the order
to be published:(a) in a newspaper circulating throughout the State,
(b) on the Department’s web page on the Internet,
(c) in the case of an exemption order that does not apply to the whole
State, in a newspaper circulating throughout the area in which the exemption
order is to apply.
(1A) In the case of an exemption order, the Minister is to cause
details of the precise location of the area of land to which the exemption
order relates:(a) to be published with the notice of the order,
(b) to be forwarded to each of the following:(i) the local council for each local government area in which GM food
plants are to be cultivated under the order,
(ii) the livestock health and pest authority for each district in which
GM food plants are to be cultivated under the order,
(iii) any other persons or bodies prescribed by the
(2) Failure to comply with subsection (1) or (1A) does not invalidate
an order.10 Commencement of orderAn order made under this Division takes effect on the day on which
it is published in the Gazette or on a later day specified in the
order.11 Order cannot be challengedAn order made under this Division cannot be challenged, reviewed
or called into question in proceedings before any court or
tribunal.12 Director-General to keep register of orders(1) The Director-General is to keep a register of the orders made
under this Division.(2) The register is to contain such particulars of each order made
under this Division and is to be kept in such manner and form as the
Director-General may from time to time determine, subject to the
regulations.(2A) The register is also to contain, in the case of an exemption
order, details of the area of land to which the exemption order
applies.(3) The Director-General is to cause the contents of the register to
be made available for inspection free of charge by the public at the
Department’s head office and on the Department’s website on the
Internet.13 Expert Committee on Gene Technology(1) The Minister is to establish a New South Wales Expert Committee on
Gene Technology.(2) The Expert Committee is to consist of those persons who represent
food plant industries, or who have other appropriate expertise, qualifications
or experience that the Minister considers will enable them to make a valuable
contribution to the Committee, as are appointed as members of the Committee by
the Minister from time to time.(3) One of the members is to be appointed, in and by the instrument by
which the member is appointed, as the independent chairperson of the Expert
Committee.(4) A person appointed by the Minister under this section holds office
for the term specified in the instrument of appointment but may be removed
from office at any time by the Minister.(5) The Expert Committee has such functions as are conferred or
imposed on it by or under this Act or by the
Minister.(6) In particular, the Expert Committee has the function of evaluating
and providing advice and information (if requested to do so by the Minister)
on the matters referred to in section 7A within the periods specified in that
section.(7) A member of the Expert Committee is entitled to such allowances in
connection with the work of the Expert Committee as the Minister approves in
respect of the member.(8) Subject to the regulations and any directions of the Minister, the
Expert Committee is to regulate its own procedure for the calling of meetings
and the conduct of its business.13A ConfidentialityA member of the Expert Committee must not disclose information
obtained in connection with the carrying out of the Committee’s
functions under section 13 except in any one or more of the following
circumstances:(a) with the consent of the person from whom the information was
(b) in connection with the carrying out of those
(c) in accordance with a requirement imposed by or under a law of the
Maximum penalty: 10 penalty units or imprisonment for 3 months, or
both.13B Disclosure of pecuniary interests(1) If:(a) a member has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest in a matter
being considered or about to be considered at a meeting of the Expert
meeting of the Expert Committee.(2) A disclosure by a member at a meeting of the Expert Committee that
recorded by the Expert Committee in a book kept for the purpose and that book
the fee (if any) determined by the Expert
Committee.(4) After a member has disclosed the nature of an interest in any
matter, the member must not, unless the Expert Committee otherwise
determines:(a) be present during any deliberation of the Expert Committee with
(b) take part in any decision of the Expert Committee with respect to
(5) For the purposes of the making of a determination by the Expert
Committee under subsection (4), a member who has a direct or indirect
pecuniary interest in a matter to which the disclosure relates must
not:(a) be present during any deliberation of the Expert Committee for the
(b) take part in the making by the Expert Committee of the
(6) A contravention of this section does not invalidate any decision
of the Expert Committee.Division 2 Enforcement of moratorium14 Minister’s directions(1) The Minister may only take action under this section if the
Minister is in possession of a certificate that relates to a plant (the
tested plant)
and the Minister believes on reasonable grounds that:(a) the tested plant is a GM food plant, and
(b) the tested plant is not an approved GM food plant or was not
cultivated pursuant to an exemption order.
(2) The Minister may give a written direction to a person who is the
owner or person having custody or control of the tested plant, or any plant
that is or was part of the offending crop, requiring that person to do any of
the following:(a) retain ownership, custody or control of the plant for a specified
(b) hold the plant at a particular location for a specified
(c) destroy the plant in such manner and within such time as may be
(d) take such other action in relation to the plant as may be
Note. Section 17 provides for an appeal to the Supreme Court against a
direction of the Minister given under subsection (2).(3) The Minister or an inspector acting under the written authority of
the Minister may seize and dispose of or destroy the tested plant and any
plant that is or was part of the offending crop and any container in which
such a plant is growing or stored, if:(a) the owner or person having custody or control of the plant has
been given a direction under this section and failed to comply with the
requirements of the direction, or
(b) the Minister considers that seizure and disposal or destruction of
the plant is required urgently.
(4) In order to prevent the contamination of future crops, the
Minister may give a written direction to the owner or occupier of land on
which the Minister reasonably believes the tested plant or the offending crop
has been cultivated, directing that person not to cultivate any plant of a
species or variety specified in the direction on the land for such period as
is specified.(5) In this section:certificate means a
certificate referred to in section 19.offending
crop means the crop in which the tested plant has been
cultivated.15 Offence—failure to comply with Minister’s
directionA person who is given a written direction under this Division must
not fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with the requirements of the
direction.Maximum penalty: in the case of a corporation, 1,250 penalty units
both.16 Costs of complying with Minister’s
direction(1) A person given a written direction under this Division is liable
for any costs incurred in complying with the requirements of the
direction.(2) The owner or person having custody or control of any plant or
container that is seized and disposed of or destroyed under section 14 (3) is
liable for any costs incurred and any such costs are taken to be a debt due to
the Minister from that person.(3) The owner or person having custody or control of any plant that is
the subject of a certificate referred to in section 19 is liable for the costs
of the test referred to in that certificate and any such costs incurred by the
Minister are taken to be a debt due to the Minister from that
person.(4) In any proceedings for the recovery of any debt referred to in
this section, a certificate signed by the Minister stating the amount of the
costs and the manner in which they were incurred is evidence of the matters
certified.17 Appeal to Supreme Court(1) A person aggrieved by a direction given to the person under
section 14 (2) may appeal to the Supreme Court against the
direction.(2) An appeal under this section must be made within 14 days of the
direction being given to the person or within such further period as the
Supreme Court may allow in a particular case.(3) An appeal under this section can be made even if the direction
appealed against has already been executed.(4) An appeal under this section does not affect the direction
appealed against until the Supreme Court finally determines the
appeal.(5) On the hearing of an appeal, the Supreme Court may do one or more
of the following:(a) make an order reversing, affirming or amending the direction
appealed against,
(b) remit the matter back to the Minister for a direction by the
Minister in accordance with the order of the Court,
(c) make an order giving a direction that the Minister could give
under section 14 (2),
(d) despite section 33, make an order awarding compensation against
the Crown in accordance with subsection (7),
(e) make such other order in relation to the appeal as the Court sees
(6) If the Supreme Court gives a direction that the Minister may give
under section 14 (2), the direction is taken to be a direction of the Minister
under that provision (other than for the purposes of an appeal under this
section).(7) An award of compensation under this section may only be made in
relation to losses suffered directly by the person given the direction
appealed against and may only be made to the extent that the appeal is
successful.(8) When awarding compensation under this section, the Supreme Court
cannot award exemplary or punitive damages or damages in the nature of
aggravated damages.18 Direction cannot be challengedExcept as provided by this Division, a direction of the Minister
under this Division cannot be challenged, reviewed or called into question in
proceedings before any court or tribunal.19 Certificate is conclusive proof that plant is genetically
modified(1) For the purposes of this Act, a certificate signed by the person
in charge of an approved laboratory stating that:(a) an approved test has been conducted on a plant,
(b) the approved test shows that the plant has been genetically
is conclusive proof that the plant has been genetically
modified.(2) In this section:approved
laboratory means:(a) a laboratory that is accredited by the National Association of
Testing Authorities, Australia, or
(b) such other laboratory as may be prescribed by the
test means:(a) a Polymerase Chain Reaction test, or
(b) such other test as may be prescribed by the
Division 3 Other offences20 Offence—disposal of offending plantsThe owner or person having custody or control of a plant must not
do any of the following if the person is aware or has reasonable grounds to
suspect that the plant has been cultivated in contravention of section 6 or is
or was part of a crop in which a plant was cultivated in contravention of
section 6:(a) transfer ownership, custody or control of the
(b) offer the plant for sale,
(c) offer to supply the plant,
(d) destroy the plant,
(e) move the plant to another location,
except in accordance with a permit issued by the Director-General or a
direction under Division 2.Maximum penalty: in the case of a corporation, 1,250 penalty units
both.21 Offence—failure to report contravention of section
6(1) A person who is aware or suspects that a plant has been cultivated
in contravention of section 6 must notify the Director-General of the matters
in subsection (2) within 2 days of becoming aware or forming that
suspicion.Maximum penalty: 20 penalty
units.(2) The Director-General must be notified of the following
matters:(a) the location of the plant,
(b) the name of the owner or occupier of the land on which the plant
(c) the location of the land on which the plant has been
(d) the name of the owner or occupier of the land on which the plant
has been cultivated,
(e) the basis for the person knowing or suspecting that the plant has
been cultivated in contravention of section 6,
(f) contact details for the person,
(3) A person is not required to notify the Director-General of a
matter under this section if:(a) the person has a reasonable excuse for not notifying the
Director-General of the matter, or
(b) the person believes on reasonable grounds that the
Director-General has already been notified of the
(4) A person who is required to notify the Director-General of a
matter under this section is not excused from that requirement because of any
duty of confidentiality or other restriction on disclosure and the provision
of information in accordance with this section does not constitute a breach of
any such duty by that person.(5) A person who is required to notify the Director-General of a
matter under this section is not excused from that requirement because
provision of the information may tend to incriminate the person or make the
person liable to a penalty.(6) A notification provided in accordance with this section is not
admissible in evidence in any criminal proceedings against the person who
provided the notification except proceedings for an offence against this
section.Part 3 Enforcement22 Appointment of inspectors(1) The Director-General may appoint any officer of the Department, or
any person whom the Director-General considers is suitably qualified for the
purpose, to be an inspector for the purposes of this
Act.(2) On appointing an inspector under subsection (1), the
Director-General must issue to the inspector a certificate of authority that
authorises the inspector to exercise the powers conferred on an inspector by
this Act.(3) A certificate of authority must:(a) state that it is issued under the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act
(c) state the date, if any, on which it expires,
(d) describe the nature of the powers conferred and the source of the
23 Powers of inspectors(1) An inspector may at any reasonable time enter and inspect any
premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether or not a provision of this
Act, or any regulation made under this Act, is being or has been complied with
or contravened.(2) While on premises entered under this section or under the
authority of a search warrant under this Part, an inspector may do one or more
of the following:(a) inspect anything that the inspector reasonably believes may
provide evidence of an offence against this Act or the
(b) take, remove and keep for analysis or testing a sample of any
plant, or anything the inspector reasonably believes to be a
(c) inspect any records kept on those premises and require any person
whom the inspector reasonably believes to have custody or control of those
records to produce them for inspection,
(d) require any person on those premises to answer questions or
otherwise furnish information in relation to a contravention of this Act or
(e) make and take away copies of the whole or any part of any records
(f) take away and retain, for such period as may be reasonably
necessary, any records or other information, or any part of them, in order to
make copies of them,
(g) take away and retain any records or other information, if the
inspector concerned reasonably believes that the records or information are
evidence of an offence against this Act or the regulations, until proceedings
for the offence have been disposed of,
(h) seize and detain anything that the inspector reasonably believes
may provide evidence of an offence against this Act or the
(i) place anything seized as referred to in paragraph (h) in a
container, or in a room, compartment or cabinet located on the premises where
it was seized, and mark, fasten and seal that container or, as the case may
be, the door or opening providing access to that room, compartment or
(j) take such photographs, films, audio, video and other recordings as
the inspector considers necessary.
(3) Anything seized under this section may, at the option of the
inspector who made the seizure or another inspector acting in place of that
inspector, be detained on the premises where it was found or be removed to
other premises and detained there.(4) Before taking away a record or statement or anything seized under
this section, an inspector must tender an appropriate receipt to the person
from whom it was taken.(5) This section does not authorise an inspector to enter any part of
premises that is being used for residential purposes except:(a) with the consent of the occupier, or
an inspector under this section, produce the inspector’s certificate of
authority if required to do so by the occupier of the
premises.24 Provisions relating to exercise of powers(1) A power conferred by this Act to enter premises, or to make an
inspector proposing to exercise the power:(a) is in possession of a certificate of authority,
(b) gives reasonable notice to the occupier of the premises of the
(2) Despite section 33, if damage is caused by an inspector exercising
a power to enter premises, a reasonable amount of compensation is recoverable
as a debt owed by the Crown to the owner of the premises unless the occupier
obstructed the exercise of the power.(3) This section does not apply to a power conferred by a search
2002.25 Requirement to provide information and records(1) An inspector may, by notice in writing given to a person, require
the person to furnish to the inspector such information or records (or both)
as the inspector requires by the notice, being information that relates to the
question of whether or not this Act or the regulations are being or have been
contravened.(2) A notice under this section:(a) must specify the manner in which information or records are
required to be furnished and a reasonable time by which the information or
records are required to be furnished, and
(b) may only require a person to furnish existing records that are in
the person’s possession or that are within the person’s power to
obtain lawfully.
(3) The inspector to whom any record is furnished under this Part may
take copies of it.(4) If any record required to be furnished under this Part is in
electronic, mechanical or other form, the notice requires the record to be
provides.(5) This section applies whether or not a power of entry under this
Act is being or has been exercised.26 Power of inspectors to require answers(1) An inspector may require a person whom the inspector suspects on
reasonable grounds to have knowledge of matters in respect of which
information is reasonably required for the purposes of this Act to answer
questions in relation to those matters.(2) An inspector may, by notice in writing, require a corporation to
corporation.27 Power to demand name and addressAn inspector may require a person whom the inspector suspects on
reasonable grounds to have contravened or to be contravening this Act or the
regulations to state his or her full name and residential
address.28 Limitation on self-incrimination(1) A person who is required under this Part to answer a question or
to produce a thing is not excused from answering the question or producing
that thing on the ground that the answer to the question or the production of
the thing might tend to incriminate the person or make the person liable to a
penalty.(2) The answer to the question or production of the thing is not
admissible in evidence against the person in any criminal proceedings (except
proceedings for an offence under section 30 (1)–(3)) if:(a) the person objected at the time to answering the question or
producing the thing on the ground that it might incriminate the person,
object to answering the question or producing the thing on the ground that it
might incriminate the person.
29 Search warrants(1) An inspector may apply to an authorised officer for a search
warrant for premises if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds:(a) that a provision of this Act or the regulations is being or has
warrant authorising an inspector named in the warrant:(a) to enter and inspect any premises, and
(b) to exercise the powers, or any specified powers, of an inspector
2002.30 Offences—enforcement(1) A person who, without reasonable excuse, neglects or fails to
comply with a requirement made of the person by an inspector under this Act is
guilty of an offence.(2) A person who furnishes any information or makes a statement in
purported compliance with a requirement made by an inspector under this Act,
knowing that it is false or misleading in a material respect, is guilty of an
offence.(3) A person who, without reasonable excuse, hinders or obstructs an
inspector in the exercise of any of the powers conferred by this Act is guilty
of an offence.(4) A person who, without reasonable excuse, removes or tampers with
anything that has been seized under this Act is guilty of an
offence.(5) A person who, without reasonable excuse, removes or tampers with
any sample taken under this Act is guilty of an
offence.(6) A person is not guilty of an offence of failing to comply with a
requirement made by an inspector unless it is established by the prosecutor
that the inspector concerned warned the person that a failure or refusal to
comply with the requirement was an offence.(7) A person is not guilty of an offence of hindering or obstructing
an inspector in the exercise of the inspector’s powers at any premises
unless it is established by the prosecutor that:(a) the inspector concerned produced at the relevant time the
certificate of authority issued to the inspector under this Part,
(b) the person was informed by the inspector concerned, or otherwise
knew, that the inspector was empowered to exercise the power to which the
offence relates.
both.31 Disposal of seized items(1) Any item seized under this Act is forfeited to the Crown and may
be destroyed or disposed of in such manner as the Minister
directs.(2) However, if:(a) any seized item is forfeited to the Crown under this section,
(b) the Minister is satisfied that there has been no contravention of
this Act or the regulations in relation to the seized item,
(c) the seized item has not been disposed of or destroyed in a manner
that would prevent it from being dealt with in accordance with this
the Minister must immediately cause the seized item to be delivered to
such person as appears to the Minister to be the person who would, but for the
forfeiture, have been entitled to it.(3) If any seized item is delivered to a person in accordance with
subsection (2), such proprietary and other interests as existed immediately
before the forfeiture are revived.32 Injunctions to prevent contravention of Act(1) If a person has contravened, is contravening or is proposing to
contravene a provision of this Act, the Supreme Court may, on the application
of the Minister, grant an injunction restraining the person from doing so or
requiring the person to do any act or thing necessary to avoid or remedy the
contravention.(2) The Court may, before considering the application, grant an
interim injunction restraining the person from engaging in conduct pending the
determination of the application.(3) The Court may rescind or vary such an injunction or interim
injunction.(4) The Minister is not to be required to give any undertaking as to
damages or costs in respect of an application under this
section.Part 4 Miscellaneous32A Special protection from liability for spread of GM food
plants(1) If:(a) a GM food plant is present on any land, and
(b) the existence of the GM food plant on the land is attributable to
the spread, dissemination or persistence of the GM food plant,
(c) the original introduction of that GM food plant to the land was
not knowingly undertaken by or on behalf of any person who is, or who has
been, an owner or occupier of the land,
no action may be brought in a New South Wales court or under a New South
Wales law against a person who is an owner or occupier of the land on account
of the fact that the GM food plant is present on the land or that the person
has dealt with the GM food plant.(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the relevant court is
satisfied:(a) that a person who is an owner or occupier of the relevant land has
deliberately dealt with a crop knowing that GM food plant was present in order
to gain a commercial benefit, and
(b) that, in the interests of justice, another person’s rights
with respect to that GM food plant should be recognised or
(3) This section extends to any case where a GM food plant was present
on land before the commencement of this section.33 No compensation payable(1) Compensation is not payable by or on behalf of the Crown in
relation to anything that is authorised by or under this
Act.(2) In this section:compensation includes
damages or any other form of monetary compensation.the Crown
means the Crown within the meaning of the Crown Proceedings Act 1988, and
includes an officer, employee or agent of the Crown.34 Summary proceedings for offences(1) Proceedings for an offence against this Act or the regulations may
(2) If proceedings are brought in the Local Court, the maximum
monetary penalty that the Local Court may impose for the offence is 100
penalty units or such other amount as may be prescribed by the regulations,
despite any higher maximum monetary penalty provided in respect of the
offence.35 Penalty notices for certain offences(1) An authorised officer may serve a penalty notice on a person if it
offence must not exceed the maximum amount of penalty that could be imposed
36 Onus of proof concerning reasonable excuseIn any proceedings for an offence against a provision of this Act
(as referred to in the provision) lies with the
defendant.37 Offences by corporations(1) If a corporation contravenes, whether by act or omission, any
provision of this Act or the regulations, each executive officer of the
corporation is taken to have contravened the same provision if the person
knowingly authorised or permitted the act or omission constituting the
offence.(2) A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision
committed.38 Delegation(1) The Minister may delegate to the Director-General, or to an
authorised person, the exercise of any of the Minister’s powers under
this Act or the regulations, other than the power to make an order under
Division 1 of Part 2, the power to give a direction or authorisation under
section 14 and this power of delegation.(2) The Director-General may delegate to an authorised person the
exercise of:(a) any of the functions delegated to the Director-General by the
(b) any of the other functions of the Director-General under this Act
or the regulations, other than this power of
(3) In this section, authorised person
means:(a) a member of staff of the Department, or
(b) any person of a class prescribed by the
39 Describing plantsFor the purposes of this Act, a plant may be described by its
scientific name, its common name or in any other way.40 Savings, transitional and other provisionsSchedule 1 has effect.41 (Repealed)42 Regulations(1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act,
out or giving effect to this Act.(2) The regulations may create offences punishable by a penalty not
exceeding 100 penalty units.43 Expiry of ActThis Act expires on 1 July 2021.Schedule 1 Savings, transitional and other
provisions(Section 40)Part 1 General1 Regulations(1) The regulations may contain provisions of a savings or
transitional nature consequent on the enactment of the following Acts:this ActGene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Amendment Act 2004Gene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Amendment Act 2007(2) Any such provision may, if the regulations so provide, take effect
Act2 Matter occurring before moratorium order madeA moratorium order extends to plants that were planted before the
making of the order, including plants that were planted before the date of
assent to this Act, however, an act or omission occurring before the making of
the order does not constitute an offence in relation to that
order.Part 3 Provisions consequent on enactment of Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment Act
20043 Conditions imposed on exemption orders(1) Section 8 (6C), as inserted by the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment Act
2004, does not apply to a condition imposed on an exemption
order before the commencement of that Act.(2) Nothing in subclause (1) affects any prosecution under section 7
in relation to a breach of a condition that was imposed on an exemption order
before the commencement of that Act.Part 4 Provisions consequent on enactment of Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Amendment Act
20074 DefinitionIn this Part:amending
Act means the Gene Technology (GM
Crop Moratorium) Amendment Act 2007.5 Former members of the Advisory Council(1) The Advisory Council established under section 13 as in force
immediately before its substitution by the amending Act is taken, on that
substitution, to be the Expert Committee.(2) Subject to section 13, the members that constituted the Advisory
Council hold office as members of the Expert Committee for the remainder of
the term for which they were appointed as members of the Advisory
Council.(3) Subject to section 13, the person who held office as the
independent chairperson of the Advisory Council immediately before the
substitution of section 13 by the amending Act is taken to be the independent
chairperson of the Expert Committee.6 Orders(1) The moratorium orders made under section 6, as in force
immediately before its substitution by the amending Act, are repealed on that
substitution.(2) Exemption orders Numbers 7 and 8 (published in Government Gazette
No 147 of 1.12.2005 at pages 9857 and 9858, respectively) are taken, on the
amendment of section 8 (1) by the amending Act, to have been made under
section 8 (1) as amended and to permit the cultivation of the exempt GM food
plants concerned subject to the conditions specified in the
orders.Schedule 2 (Repealed)Historical notesThe following abbreviations are used in the Historical notes:
Am amended LW legislation website Sch Schedule Cl clause No number Schs Schedules Cll clauses p page Sec section Div Division pp pages Secs sections Divs Divisions Reg Regulation Subdiv Subdivision GG Government Gazette Regs Regulations Subdivs Subdivisions Ins inserted Rep repealed Subst substituted Table of amending instrumentsGene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Act 2003 No 12. Second reading speech made:
Legislative Council, 21.5.2003; Legislative Assembly, 30.5.2003. Assented to
25.6.2003. Date of commencement (except Sch 2.1 and 2.3), assent, sec 2 (1);
date of commencement of Sch 2.1 and 2.3, 1.12.2005, sec 2 (2) and GG No 45 of
15.4.2005, p 1356. This Act has been amended by Sch 2.1 to this Act and as
2004No 93Gene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Amendment Act 2004. Assented to 15.12.2004.Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.
2005No 81Gene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Amendment (Postponement of Expiry) Act 2005.
Assented to 17.11.2005.Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.
Provisions) Act 2006. Assented to 20.6.2006.Date of commencement of Sch 1.13, assent, sec 2 (2); date of commencement
2007No 86Gene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Amendment Act 2007. Assented to 7.12.2007.Date of commencement of Sch 1, Sch 1 [17] excepted, 11.1.2008, sec 2 (1)
and GG No 4 of 11.1.2008, p 27; date of commencement of Sch 1 [17], assent,
2008No 112Rural Lands Protection
Amendment Act 2008. Assented to 10.12.2008.Date of commencement of Sch 6.13, 1.1.2009, sec 2
Provisions) Act 2010. Assented to 28.6.2010.Date of commencement of Sch 2.36, 9.7.2010, sec 2
2011No 17Gene Technology (GM Crop
Moratorium) Amendment (Postponement of Expiry) Act 2011.
Assented to 21.6.2011.Date of commencement, assent, sec 2.
Sec 3Subst 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [1].Sec 4Am 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [2] [3]; 2010 No 59, Sch
2.36.Part 2, headingSubst 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [4].Part 2, Div 1, headingSubst 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [5].Secs 6, 7Subst 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [6].Sec 7AIns 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [6].Sec 8Am 2004 No 93, Sch 1 [1] [2]; 2007 No 86, Sch 1
[7]–[9].Sec 9Am 2004 No 93, Sch 1 [3] [4]; 2008 No 112, Sch
6.13.Sec 12Am 2004 No 93, Sch 1 [5].Sec 13Am 2006 No 58, Sch 1.13 [1]–[5]. Subst 2007
No 86, Sch 1 [10].Secs 13A, 13BIns 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [10].Part 2, Div 2, headingAm 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [11].Sec 14Am 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [12]
[13].Sec 20Am 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [14].Sec 21Am 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [15].Sec 24Am 2003 No 12, Sch 2.1 [1].Sec 29Am 2003 No 12, Sch 2.1
[2]–[4].Sec 32AIns 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [16].Sec 34Am 2007 No 94, Sch 2.Sec 41Rep 2006 No 58, Sch 4.Sec 43Am 2005 No 81, sec 3; 2007 No 86, Sch 1 [17]; 2011
No 17, sec 3.Sch 1Am 2004 No 93, Sch 1 [6] [7]; 2007 No 86, Sch 1
[18] [19].Sch 2Rep 2006 No 58, Sch 4.