1.Trial GE crops before recommending them: Chance
2.Farmers call for GM performance trials
3.Tasmania could remain GMO free even if other states don't: McGauran
EXTRACTS: 'There is no firm evidence, from the limited Australian trials, of increased yields from using GM canola varieties.
'Professor Rick Roush's claims in media today about yield decreases in Australia are unscientific and simply wrong.'
NOTE: Roush is a notorious pro-GM activist.
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1.Trial GE crops before recommending them: Chance
BUSINESS NEWS, 6-November-07 http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story/1/58230/Trial-GE-crops-before-recommending-them-Chance
Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance has called on Australian companies to undertake independent performance trials before recommending genetically modified crops as a viable alternative to Western Australian farmers.
Mr Chance said it was standard practice with any non-GM new crop varieties to conduct independent trials to determine yield and production performance before releasing the varieties to farmers.
'In WA, numerous field trials and evaluations are conducted on every non-GM variety over a number of seasons before it is released,' he said.
'However, only small scale GM canola trials have been undertaken in Australia to date and more work needs to be done before any recommendations could be made to farmers on the benefits of GM varieties.
'There is no firm evidence, from the limited Australian trials, of increased yields from using GM canola varieties.
'It is pointless and misleading to compare Canadian performances with Australian, because of the different growing conditions.
'Professor Rick Roush's claims in media today about yield decreases in Australia are unscientific and simply wrong.
'There is nothing wrong with the yield of Australian canola varieties given normal growing seasons. Drought is the only factor that has contributed to yield decreases in Australia in recent times.'
The Minister said recently the Consumers Union of Japan visited WA and sought assurance of a continuing supply of non-GM products.
'In addition, a survey of Australian consumers also documented they were concerned about the safety of GM food,' he said.
'Time is needed to understand the effects of GM crops and it is necessary to leave our options open.'
Mr Chance will host a GM Food debate on November 12, at Challenge Stadium to discuss the issues of GM technology as they relate to food and agriculture.
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2.Farmers call for GM performance trials
Press release: 5th November, 2007
http://www.non-gm-farmers.com/news_details.asp?ID=2851
The Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF), a coalition of farmers with concerns over GM crops, has called for accurate economic reports based on independent performance trials on GM canola prior to any lifting of State GM moratoria. A decision by State governments in NSW, South Australia and Victoria regarding the lifting of State moratoria is expected within the next week.
'Positive economic reports have been based on misleading information of advantages that are not offered and costs that are not included,' said Julie Newman, WA farmer and NCF national spokesperson.
'Farmers are not being offered any GM variety better than the non-GM varieties we already have, yet we are being promised a range of misleading promises.'
A key reason for promoting the adoption of GM canola is for the yield advantage claimed to be associated with the GM varieties. Both New South Wales and Western Australia offered to allow plantings of GM canola in independent performance trials which would establish if a yield advantage is offered but GM companies refused to participate.
'The only way to determine any benefit is by independent performance trials but the GM companies appear to be too frightened to participate on a level playing field,' said Mrs Newman. 'All they have supported are 5,000ha 'trials' which is little more than a backdoor release to encourage contamination.'
'All GM canola offers is a weed control tool using chemical resistant canola similar to our non-GM chemical resistant varieties,' explained Mrs Newman. 'It does not offer higher yields, better drought persistence, less chemical or less fuel use yet farmers have been promised these advantages.'
While Federal government has the role to assess health and environment, State governments have the legislated responsibility to assess economics and markets. The NCF claim it is not possible to accurately assess economics without independent trials claiming the yield advantages used in economic reports has not accurately reflected reality. Mrs Newman also explains how costs and potential market loss have not been included in economic reports and have not been revealed to Australian farmers.
'Monsanto and Nufarm have not released the details of costs or the conditions of the contracts involved for their Roundup Ready canola so how can anybody promote an economic advantage without factoring in costs?' asked Mrs Newman.
'The chemical used on Bayer Cropscience's Invigor canola does not control problem weeds such as radish and turnip which is a major problem as there is no alternative weed control option. Despite being less effective, the cost for the chemical equates to $72/ha compared to $16/ha for non-GM triazine tolerant chemicals. The cost for the GM seed is $16/kg compared to 50c-$4.30/kg for non-GM.' explained Mrs Newman.
'No advantage and higher costs equates to an economic loss, not an advantage.
The NCF have been lobbying for risk management to prevent economic loss to farmers not wishing to grow GM crops claiming that the cost and liabilities involved in marketing as 'Non-GM' would be price prohibitive and stating evidence of price penalties associated with the alternative option of marketing non-GM as GM.
'We have warned State governments of the risk and if they ignore their legislated responsibility and lift the moratoria without fair risk management, they should be held liable for compensating farmers for losses caused by a GM crop we do not want and do not need.'
'State governments need to assess economics based on facts, not false promises,' added Mrs Newman.
Contact: Julie Newman 08 98711562
Network of Concerned Farmers
www.non-gm-farmers.com
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3.Tasmania could remain GMO free even if other states don't: McGauran
ABC News, Nov 6 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/06/2083272.htm
The Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran says there is no reason why Tasmania can not retain its moratorium on genetically modified (GM) crops even if other states decide to lift theirs.
The State Government is currently reviewing its GM moratorium, which is to expire mid next year.
The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) is supporting a lifting of the ban on GM crops, in a policy which is aligned with that of the Federal Government.
Mr McGauran predicts Victoria and New South Wales will lift the ban by April next year, but that should not affect Tasmania's decision.
'That, then has consequences for other states on the mainland that wish to remain GM free, but for Tasmania with Bass Strait being a natural boarder, Tasmania could go it alone and not therefore be influenced by neighbouring states,' he said.
But Mr McGauran says the TFGA will have a battle to have the moratorium on GM crops lifted.
He farmers would need to persuade the State Government that it would be in Tasmania's best interests.
'So long as it was voluntarily decided by individual farmers, I don't think a government should deprive a farmer of choice.'