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32. What GM crops are produced in Australia?
Genetically modified cotton and carnations are grown and sold in Australia.
From 1996 to 2004, Bt or Ingard cotton growing in Australia resulted in pesticide reductions averaging 50 per cent each season. It produces an insecticide in its leaves and stems to protect itself from a devastating pest.
Insect resistant cotton, known as Bollgard® II, now represents 85 per cent of the national cotton crop and has reduced pesticide use by 85 per cent over conventional varieties. Australian cotton growers have access to herbicide tolerant varieties which offer them more options for weed control
Five carnations are also available in Australia. They have been modified to express various shades of blue-violet/mauve colouring.
33. Isn’t GM canola commercially grown in Australia?
Two herbicide tolerant GM canola varieties were approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator in 2003. Concerns about the market impact of GM canola led to moratoria being imposed by some state governments on the commercial production of GM canola varieties. In 2007, the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian state governments reviewed their moratoria on GM crops. The reviews found strong evidence that the introduction of GM canola would have minimal impact on market access or prices for the majority of Australian canola. As a result of these findings, GM canola can be commercially grown in NSW and Victoria in 2008. However, the South Australian Government has elected to extend its GM canola moratoria.
34. What is a moratorium?
A moratorium is a ban, and in this case South Australia and Tasmania have legislated bans in place to prevent the commercial growing of GM canola. Western Australia does not officially call their ban a ‘moratorium’, however they have a GM Crops Free Areas Bill in place which also prevents the commercial release of GM canola which will be reviewed in 2008.
The bans have been imposed to allow issues such as trade, liability and coexistence time to be addressed.
35. What other GM crops are in the research pipeline in Australia?
Those crops which are currently undergoing field trials include cotton, grapevine, pineapple, papaya and sugarcane. The characteristics being investigated include insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, modified oil production, modified colour, sugar composition, flowering and fruit development.
Other crops in the research pipeline include bananas, barley, rice, soybeans, tobacco and wheat. For more information see: www.ogtr.gov.au
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