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The consumer confidence challenge
Courier Mail
21/11/05
Your editorial (Saturday 19 November) questions the CSIRO’s announcement regarding the axing of genetically modified (GM) field pea research.
While it did take some time for a problem to be identified with the research, this is a result of the extensive testing process. At the beginning, the key assessment was in terms of the ‘pest resistant’ characteristics of the crop. It would have been meaningless to assess the ‘health’ aspect before ascertaining that the modification itself, the primary purpose for the research, had been successful.
The CSIRO does attract a high level of trust in Australia, and part of this has to be credited to its transparency – which has been reinforced with the announcement of this research outcome. Not all science ends in success or products in the marketplace, but where would we be without basic scientific discovery and innovation?
Queensland is about to celebrate the tenth anniversary of GM crops in Australia with the planting of this year’s GM cotton crop. A decade on and the cotton industry has embraced the technology with approximately 80 per cent of the industry growing GM varieties.
CSIRO has stated on the public record that the GM field peas failed the test. Some 100 media articles have been reported on this topic. Let’s see if the next GM crop story – a decade of GM cotton in Australia – attracts the same amount of media interest to inform and build public awareness and consumer confidence.
Paula Fitzgerald
Executive Director
Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Canberra
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