28MTreatment, &c., of GMO or thing containing GMO

28M Treatment, &c., of GMO or thing containing GMO

(1)  If an authorised officer, when performing or exercising any functions or powers under this Part, reasonably believes that –

(a) a GMO has been imported into the State in contravention of this Part; or

(b) a thing contains or may contain a GMO and has been imported into the State in contravention of this Part –

the authorised officer may arrange for the GMO or thing to be treated or destroyed, or for other measures to be taken, as he or she considers appropriate.

(2)  Without limiting subsection (1) , the authorised officer may arrange for measures to be taken in respect of the GMO or thing by arranging for one or more of the following:

(a) the isolation of the GMO or thing;

(b) the tagging or marking of the GMO or thing for the purposes of identification;

(c) the return of the GMO or thing to the place from where it came.

(3)  An authorised officer may only arrange for the destruction of a thing that has a value greater than $500 or, if another value is prescribed, that prescribed value with the written consent of the Secretary.