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AUS – READY FOR GM CANOLA
26 November 2007 Source: Producers Forum
GM canola – farmers and industry ready
Australian farmers and the grain supply chain have called on state governments to act on global scientific evidence and marketplace endorsement to allow moratoria to expire and enable the commercialisation of approved GM canola in 2008.
Mr Jeff Bidstrup, National Convenor, Producers Forum said, “In the past few weeks we have seen GM opponents run scare campaigns to try and unduly influence state government decision making processes.
“The reality is that all the questions have long-been answered and Australian farmers are looking for this opportunity as soon as possible,” said.
“The approved GM canola types we want to have the choice to grow in Australia have been produced, traded and consumed around the world for over a decade,” he said. “They were thoroughly examined by Australia’s regulatory authorities in 2003 and proven to be just as safe to the environment and human health as our conventional varieties. There is no question of safety,” he said.
Mr Bidstrup said Australian farmers want to ensure that a progressive decision is made, particularly following the release of independent studies from respected Australian universities on the economic and productivity benefits offered by GM canola varieties.
“Researchers at Charles Sturt University have shown in a five-year trial that one of the GM canola varieties consistently delivered superior weed control, higher yields and oil quality and better profits,” he said.
“Another report from Melbourne University has stated that if half the current canola types were replaced with GM canola, Australia would decrease its herbicide use, increase the area planted to canola, and improve yields in both canola and wheat cropping rotations,” said Mr Bidstrup.
Mr Tom Keene, the Managing Director of GrainCorp, a leading Australian agribusiness with an extensive grain handling, storage, transport and marketing network, said, “The Australian grain industry is driven by innovation including the adoption of new varieties and we cannot afford to be denied this GM canola opportunity any longer.”
“In August the grain industry supply chain released a statement endorsed by 29 key agricultural organisations which recognised that delivering choice is the underlying principle, and called for the lifting of the moratoria,” he said.
“We recognise that some will choose not to embrace this opportunity, but we have the processes and protocols in place to deliver choice and those that wish to access GM canola must be allowed to do so.”
“All stakeholders - from seed producers to consumers – can have a choice and the grain supply chain is committed to delivering this,” he said. “For those wanting to access GM canola it is time for the barriers to go,” said Mr Keene.
For more information: www.producersforum.net.au
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