Genetically Modified Food Plan
Council is committed to accurate labelling of genetically modified (GM) food and promotes the use of GM free food in our services.
It builds on Council’s earlier commitments to advocate for accurate labelling of GM food, a ban on the introduction of GM food in Australia, and to promote the use of GM free food in Council services, including meals on wheels and child care centres.
Background
The Victorian Government recently lifted its ban on the production of some GM food crops despite opposition from consumers, farmers and food manufacturers. Council received a petition from residents concerned about the environmental, social and economic implications of this decision. The City of Moreland has previously advocated for a ban on GM food production in Victoria.
What Council is doing now: our GM Food Plan
Meals on wheels catering
That Council food service contracts for meals on wheels and catering include a clause to use food products that have not been genetically modified.
Community gardens
That any community gardens supported in any way by Council occur on the condition that the food produced is GM-free.
Letter writing
To write to the Premier, State and Commonwealth Agricultural and Health Ministers, and local parliamentary representatives to advocate the following
- GM canola crop bans for at least another five years
- adequate GM-free food labelling, and
- registration of GM release sites to ensure that those who want to stay GM free can avoid those sites.
Municipal Public Health Plan
To consider further action on GM-free food in Council's Health and Wellbeing Plan.
