{"id":"F2007B00679","name":"Gene Technology (Recognition of Designated Areas) Principle 2003","slug":"gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":62470,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2007B00679-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Gene Technology (Recognition of Designated Areas) Principle 2003","content":"![](image.001.png)\n\nGene Technology (Recognition of Designated Areas) Principle 2003\n\nGene Technology Act 2000\n\nThe Ministerial Council constituted under the Gene Technology Agreement makes this Principle under subsection 21 (1) of the Gene Technology Act 2000.\n\n31 July 2003\n\n| Hon Trish Worth MPParliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and AgeingforSenator the Hon Kay Patterson,Minister for Health and Ageingfor the Commonwealth | Hon Ian Macdonald MLCMinister for Agriculture and Fisheriesfor the State of New South Wales  |\n| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Hon Bronwyn Pike MPMinister for Healthfor the State of Victoria                                                                                                    | Hon Paul Lucas MPMinister for Innovation and Information Economy,for the State of Queensland |\n| Hon Kim Chance MLCMinister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheriesfor the State of Western Australia                                                               | Hon Lea Stevens MPMinister for Healthfor the State of South Australia                        |\n| Hon Bryan Green MHAMinister for Primary Industries, Water and Environmentfor the State of Tasmania                                                                 | Mr Simon Corbell MLAMinister for Healthfor the Australian Capital Territory                  |\n|                                                                                                                                                                    |                                                                                              |\n\n  \n\nPart 1 Preliminary\n\n1 Name of Principle\n\nThis Principle is the Gene Technology (Recognition of Designated Areas) Principle 2003.\n\n2 Commencement\n\nThis Principle commences on gazettal.\n\n3 Definitions\n\nIn this Principle:\n\n> Act means the Gene Technology Act 2000.\n\n> Note A number of expressions used in this Principle are defined in the Act (see section 10), including:\n\n> Note:  GMO licence\n\n> Note:  Regulator\n\n> Note:  State.\n\n4 Purpose\n\nThis Principle is issued for the purpose of recognising areas (if any) designated under a State law for the purpose of preserving the identity of GM crops, non-GM crops, or both GM crops and non-GM crops, for marketing purposes.\n\nPart 2 Principle for recognition of designated areas\n\n5 Recognition of areas designated under State law\n\nAn area is recognised as an area that is designated for the purpose of preserving the identity of GM crops, non-GM crops, or both GM crops and non-GM crops, for marketing purposes, if the area is so designated under a State law.\n\n6 States not compelled to make law\n\nSection 5 is not intended to compel a State to make a law mentioned in that section.\n\n7 Effect on Regulator\n\nSection 5 is intended to apply for the purposes of paragraph 43 (2) (e) and subsection 57 (1) of the Act, and for clause 2.1 in Schedule 3 of the Gene Technology Regulations 2001, but is not intended to otherwise affect the operation of:\n\n(a) the Regulator’s obligation under section 55 of the Act to make a decision whether to issue or refuse to issue a GMO licence; and\n\n(b) the Regulator’s duty to consider the matters mentioned in subsection 56 (1) of the Act in relation to the issue of a GMO licence.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The Principle does not broaden or narrow the Gene Technology Act’s substantive licensing powers; it simply recognises State-designated areas for marketing identity where State law exists (s 4–5). It expressly does not compel States to legislate (s 6) and preserves the Regulator’s existing decision-making duties and consideration requirements (s 7), so it alters recognition practice but not the statutory scope of federal licensing powers."},"complexity_factors":["Short, narrowly focused instrument with limited provisions (Parts 1–2; ss 4–6).","Relies on cross-references to the Gene Technology Act and Regulations, notably paragraph 43(2)(e), subsection 57(1) and Schedule 3 clause 2.1 of the Regulations (s 7), which shifts interpretative work to those instruments.","Substantive meaning of what constitutes a ‘designated area’ depends on differing State laws, producing variable scope and application across jurisdictions (s 5).","Key phrases lack detailed criteria in this Principle (e.g. ‘for the purpose of preserving the identity… for marketing purposes’), creating interpretive ambiguity about when recognition applies (s 4–5).","Does not create procedural or enforcement rules; practical effect depends on how the Regulator and courts read the interplay between State designations and federal licensing duties (s 7).","Explicitly preserves the Regulator’s existing obligations to decide on licences and to consider specified matters, so complexity arises from interaction, not new procedural burdens (s 7(a)–(b))."],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument recognises areas that a State law designates for preserving the identity of GM crops, non‑GM crops, or both for marketing purposes. Where a State has such a law the area is treated as ‘recognised’ under the Gene Technology Act; the Principle does not force States to make those laws. It is intended to inform specific licensing provisions but does not change the Regulator’s duty to decide on GMO licences or the matters the Regulator must consider."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of providing a mechanism for federal recognition of state-designated crop segregation areas for marketing purposes. The scope has not expanded beyond this narrow, specific function."},"complexity_factors":["Extremely short document (7 sections total)","Only 1 defined term ('Act') in the interpretation section","No nested exceptions or complex conditional logic","Simple declarative structure: 'An area is recognised if...'","Minimal cross-referencing (only references to specific sections of the parent Act and Regulations)","Explicit limitations in section 7 prevent interpretive expansion"],"plain_english_summary":"This instrument makes federal law recognise state-created \"designated areas\" that aim to keep GM and non-GM crops separate for marketing reasons. Participation by states is voluntary.\n\nIt affects farmers, agribusiness and state governments in those areas and requires the Gene Technology Regulator to consider recognised zones in specific licensing decisions — while preserving the Regulator’s core, science-based approval powers."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003","history":"/api/acts/gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003/history","analysis":"/api/acts/gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/gene-technology-recognition-of-designated-areas-principle-2003/documents"}}