AUS:State Bans GE Crops for Three Years
By
ISEBiotechnology Project
(Tuesday March 04 2003 @ 09:47AM)
Australia
A GROUP of Australian farmers has commended the NSW Government for its
decision to slap a three-year ban on the commercial introduction of
genetically modified (GM) food crops.
Premier Bob Carr yesterday announced the ban on the production of GM
food crops such as canola, clover, mustard and field peas until 2006.
Group spokesman Scott Kinnear said the ban was sensible.
"It is a precautionary decision and it proves that the Government is
listening to farmers," he said in Sydney.
But the farmers joined the Australian Greens in expressing concerns
about trials of GM food crops, and their potential cross-contamination
with non-GM crops.
Queensland farmer Julie Newman questioned whether the farming industry
was ready for GM crops, and said farmers were being misled when they
were told they would make more money from them.
"Non-GM crops are offering a lot more," she said.
"(GM crops) will cause serious industry damage.
"The biggest thing consumers should remember is that if farmers can't
grow non-GM crops, consumers can't buy non-GM crops."
Canadian farmer Bob Willick is leading a class action of 1000 farmers
against Canadian companies Monsanto and Bayer for damages caused by the
release of GM canola in Canada.
Today in Sydney Mr Willick warned there would soon be no canola,
mustard, and perhaps wheat grown organically in Canada.
"It could be the end of organic farming in Canada," he said.
Mr Willick said Australia had a great opportunity to export to different
markets with the banning of GM crops.
Tests on GM crops were acceptable, but only under secure conditions, Mr
Kinnear said.
"If they are going to have open field trials, where there is the
possibility for cross-pollination and cross-contamination, then we would
have a problem with that."