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"An application has been received from Dow AgroSciences Pty Ltd to amend the Food Standards Code to approve food derived from a corn line 1507 genetically modified to produce a Bt protein (CRY1F) that confers protection against attack by certain lepidopteran insect pests, and a PAT protein for tolerance to glufosinate-ammonium herbicide."

... "(iv) Potential use in foods Corn, together with rice and wheat, is one of the most important cereal crops in the world with total production of 591 million tonnes in 2000. The majority of grain and forage derived from corn is used as animal feed. Corn grain is also processed into industrial products, such as ethyl alcohol by fermentation and highly refined starch by wet-milling to produce starch and sweetener products. In addition to milling, the corn germ can be processed to obtain corn oil and for numerous other minor uses. No special processing is required to make corn safe to feed or eat."

... "Under the current Standard, referred to as A18 in the Australian Food Standards Code (Volume 1) or 1.5.2 in the recently adopted joint Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (Volume 2), which remains in effect until 7 December 2001, food derived from insect-protected, glufosinate-ammonium tolerant corn line 1507 will not require labelling if it is found to be nutritionally equivalent to food derived from nongenetically modified corn varieties."

Genetically modified corn (A446) - submissions by 31 October 2001 [ pDF ]

ANZFA has received an application for the approval of a variety of corn which has been genetically modified to withstand insect attack and to tolerate the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. This is one of 22 applications received to date for the approval of GM foods; 12 have already been approved for sale by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council. ANZFA will conduct a safety assessment on the GM corn which will involve an examination of the genetic modification itself and its stability over several generations, the toxicity and allergenicity potential of the new gene, as well as nutritional values of the GM corn compared to the conventionally-bred corn. This GM corn is not currently in the marketplace. Approval for sale will only be recommended if the GM corn is found to be at least as safe as its conventionally produced counterpart. Evidence-based submissions on the benefits or disadvantages of this GM corn entering the food supply are invited. Copies of Applications A443 and A446 can be obtained from the ANZFA website on www.anzfa.gov.au or www.anzfa.govt.nz. Alternatively, hard-copy versions are available from ANZFA in Australia on phone 02 6271 2222 or in New Zealand on 04 473 9942.

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