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Aus - WA parliament endorses GM canola
Thursday, 11 March, 2010.
Source: Government of WA
Parliament endorses decision on GM canola.
WA farmers will be able to plant GM canola with certainty after Labor's disallowance motion failed in Parliament last night.
Agriculture Minister Terry Redman said he was pleased the disallowance motion moved by Labor in the Legislative Assembly to block farmer's access to GM canola was defeated.
"Farmers who choose to plant GM canola this season can do so with confidence. Labor's political game-playing will no longer be a factor when they make decisions about how GM canola might fit into their particular farming systems," Mr Redman said.
"The State Government made this decision because we believe that politics shouldn't stand in the way of farmers accessing a technology approved by federal health and safety regulators.
"The trials proved GM and non-GM canola can be segregated and marketed separately and we believe it could provide another tool to help farmers remain profitable and competitive.
"I have been gratified by the overwhelming support for the Government's decision as I toured regional areas of WA recently.
"I am confident the disallowance motion still to be moved in the Legislative Council by the Greens will be defeated," Mr Redman said.
As at the beginning of March 2010, 650 West Australians have formally expressed an interest in growing GM canola through accreditation programs and nearly 300 growers have signed the Licence and Stewardship Agreement.
An estimated 200 tonnes of GM seed has been ordered for planting 30,000 hectares this season.
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