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AUS– GCA SUPPORT END TO MORATORIA
14 August 2007 Source: Grains Council of Australia
http://www.grainscouncil.com/
The Grains Council of Australia has supported calls for the lifting of all State Government moratoria on the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) canola for the 2008 cropping year.
Responding to today’s presentation to the Agriculture Australia conference in Melbourne, GCA Chairman, Murray Jones, said the industry was absolutely confident that it could start commercial plantings in 2008 of the two GM canola varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
“This is an issue of confidence. All the boxes have been ticked for growers and the supply chain and we’re confident that the protocols, practices and processes to manage commercial production are all in place for the 2008 season”, Mr Jones said.
“Consumers can be confident that transparent and efficient monitoring procedures are ready to ensure segregation. That means that consumers, like growers, will be presented with a choice between GM and non-GM canola products”, he said.
“GCA has told the Review Panels currently assessing the marketing, trade and economic impacts of the state-based moratoria in South Australia, Victoria and NSW, that the removal of the moratoria on the production of GM canola will reinvigorate the Australian oilseed industry”.
“It will open up new industry sub-sectors, including the production of sustainable biofuels from oilseeds, increase regional employment and wealth creation”, Mr Jones said.
“The Australian grains industry will be taking a major step forward in environmental sustainability by adopting GM canola. This technology has environmental benefits. It allows the environmental footprint of the industry to be reduced. A recent global study provided proof that the environmental impact of the global canola industry had been reduced by 20 per cent globally since the uptake of GM canola”, he said.
“Australia has been locked out of these environmental gains by the State Government moratoria. We need this technology to play catch up with our competitors.”
“Experience from the cotton industry has shown extraordinary environmental benefits from the uptake of GM technology. Chemical use has dropped by up to 90 per cent in that industry”, Mr Jones said.
“Significant efforts have been made by the grains industry over the last 3 years to prepare the sector for the coexistence of GM and non GM canola at the farm level and through the storage and handling system”, he said.
“GCA believes strongly that agricultural biotechnology, is critical to the future of Australian agriculture. The adoption of new technology will allow greater freedom for the development of more efficient, environmentally and socially sustainable food and fibre production and help to build economically stronger regional communities”, he said.
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