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A GM response
Farm Weekly (WA)
23/03/06
Mr Engelke's letter "Contamination curse of GM crops" (23 March) provides a timely opportunity to respond with some of the facts of the genetically modified (GM) crop experience.
Globally, GM crops are grown by 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries, including six European countries - Spain, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Romania and Portugal. Australia produces commercial GM cotton and it has allowed growers to reduce pesticide applications by 60-75 per cent each season.
More and more of Australia's agribusiness competitors are growing GM crops each year. There is no evidence to suggest a premium exists for non-GM canola and ABARE predicts that if Australia maintains the current state bans it will cost the country between $1.5 and $5.8 billion over 10 years.
Pollen flow from GM canola occurs at the same rate as pollen from a conventional counterpart. Industry groups in Australia recognise this as a manageable fact. The Australian Seed Federation and the Australian Oilseed Federation believe that sound crop management practices and handling hygiene will provide a basis for Australian canola growers to meet market requirements for seed and crop production. This includes the establishment of sensible thresholds.
The Farm Scale Evaluation trials undertaken in the UK were considered for the Australian context by CSIRO scientists. These researchers concluded that some of the findings were irrelevant to Australia because maintenance of crop weeds on Australian farms is not the main focus of our national biodiversity conservation efforts as it is in the UK, and weeds in Australia are exotic invaders and are generally regarded as undesirable by farmers.
No farm group in Australia is calling for "the abolition of all restrictions" in relation to GM crops. What they are all asking for is sound, science-based decision making which allows them, once approved, access to products.
Paula Fitzgerald
Executive Director
Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Canberra
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