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GM facts
Maitland Mercury
23/09/05
Kellie Tranter ‘What legal safeguards will protect Aussie farmers?’ (22/09/05), fails to present the facts of the global genetically modified (GM) food and crop debate.
Australia’s gene technology regulations are amongst the most stringent in the world, not only in relation to research, but also relating to food safety and labelling. Australia was one of the first countries to implement a labelling regime for consumer information, with foods containing one per cent or more GM content requiring a label so that consumers can make purchasing decisions based on this knowledge.
There is no evidence of harm to human health and the environment resulting from genetically modified (GM) crops, which have been grown commercially in Australia over the past nine years.
CSIRO introduced insect-resistant GM cotton into Australia in 1996. The use of these varieties allowed growers to halve their use of pesticides over the following years. A second insect resistant GM variety has recently been introduced, and CSIRO researchers predict it will allow pesticide reductions of up to 75 per cent each season. This has been a positive outcome not only for the environment but also for the cotton-growing communities. Eighty per cent of the cotton grown in Australia is now comprised of GM varieties.
A recent report released by the World Health Organisation has concluded that the “GM foods currently on the international market have undergone risk assessments and are not likely to present risks for human health in any other form than conventional counterparts,” and further no health problems from eating such foods have arisen.
The Australian Government has thoroughly investigated the issue of liability and GM products and concluded that, “The Australian government has chosen not to implement a special liability regime for damage caused by GMOs. Recourse for those affected by the unintended presence of GMOS in Australia is to the common law and existing statute. The approach is consistent with the approaches adopted in a majority of countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States.”
Ms Tranter should give Australia’s innovative farmers more credit as business operators. They must be allowed a choice in their farming practices if they are to remain competitive in a global market. Choosing whether or not to grow a GM crop, is no different to choosing other new technologies on the farm, if something doesn’t perform, it will not be implemented.
Science-based, factual information is vital on this complex topic. Gene technology is one of the most scrutinised technologies in the world today, and consumers and farmers alike should be allowed the full story.
Paula Fitzgerald
Executive Director
Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Canberra
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