1.Lawyer claims Monsanto's GM contracts are "one-sided"
2.Genetic cross-breeding prompts lab's end
3.Government Must not weaken G.E. Rules that Protect New Zealand
4.GLOBAL LINKS: Important websites for Australo-Pacific
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1.Lawyer claims Monsanto's GM contracts are "one-sided"
ABC, 11 November 2008
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200811/s2416757.htm

An international environmental lawyer has accused Monsanto of not going far enough to protect its growers against crop failures or possible legal disputes.

Duncan Currie, who's been practising for 20 years and advises corporations and governments on environmental issues, says the company's contractual agreements are very one-sided.

He says GM farmers need more protection in case a non-GM farmer sues because of cross-contamination.

"At the end of the day, the only liability that Monsanto is prepared to accept is for the price of the seed," he says.

"Now that would obviously dwarf any potential cost or liability the farmers may have anywhere from crop failure to liabilities for contamination to other farmers.

"And, in fact, the farmer that plants the seed is actually indemnifying Monsanto, so if there is a contamination event caused by negligence of the farmer or some sort of breach Monsanto can point to, the farmer only has to pay Monsanto."

However, Monsanto's Mark Buckingham rejects Mr Currie's criticisms, saying the contract protects both parties.

"For there to be legal action, there would have to be a loss, and what we're seeing with harvest taking place in NSW, (with) those GM canola crops being harvested now, the farmers are receiving the same price for their Roundup-ready canola grain as they are receiving for conventional," he says.

"So therefore, it would be hard to see if there were a loss which would lead to a liability."

NSW farmer Graham Barron says there is adequate protection under common law to protect all parties within the GM industry.

He has grown GM canola this season and is happy with the results so far.

He says farmers need to adopt this technology so they can compete internationally.

"This is a real furphy," he says.

"We have international lawyers, people that come in from overseas, trying to create a space for themselves in the market.

"Really, we farmers should be bloody annoyed at the garbage that we hear on the airwaves about all this liabilty.

"We have been starved of all the technology and it's about time that our politicians realise that as farmers we have to compete internationally, and unless we have these tools that we can use on the farm, we are not going to be able to compete."
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2.Genetic cross-breeding prompts lab's end
AAP, November 9 2008
http://news.smh.com.au/national/genetic-crossbreeding-prompts-labs-end-20081109-5kt4.html

A university research facility in Adelaide has been closed temporarily after a researcher cross-bred genetically modified mice without approval.

The researcher was suspended after Flinders University's bio-safety committee detected experiments that did not comply with university procedures.

The research project, which could not be described by the university due to ongoing investigations, was also indefinitely put on hold.

Flinders University health sciences faculty executive dean Roy Goldie said the university was cooperating fully with the Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and looked forward to resolving the matter as soon as possible.

"I am extremely disappointed that a staff member has not complied with the strict code of conduct for research procedures," Professor Goldie said.

"However, I am very pleased that the university ... detected the non-compliance and we were able to act quickly."

Prof Goldie said the genetically modified mice in question had been quarantined.

"There is no risk to the health of the public or Flinders staff," he said.

The use of genetically modified mice for medical research applies the same principle as the development of genetically modified food where a gene may be taken out or added to result in a crop that might be more resistant to drought or insects.

Under the current federal government Gene Technology Act cross-breeding is allowed, but must be given prior approval based on potential risk to the environment via a hierarchy of decision makers.

Gene Ethics director Bob Phelps said he wanted to see the office get tough on non-compliant behaviour.

"It's radical, novel technology that has inherent dangers which need to be contained in laboratories," he said.

The independent Melbourne-based ethicist said the closure was not a unique case.

"In 1990 more than 50 genetically modified pigs were released from Adelaide University into the human food supply for consumption without anyone being advised," Mr Phelps said.

"Last year there were 25 unauthorised events in laboratories around Australia.

"More independent local surveillance and community participation is needed so people know what research is being done in their vicinity."

A team of auditors from OGTR is expected to review the non-compliance at Flinders University in the near future.
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3.Government Must not weaken G.E. Rules that Protect New Zealand
GE Free NZ, 10 November 2008

The Incoming Government must not weaken the rigourous laws around genetically engineered organsims (GMO's) that protect New Zealand’s status as a GE Free nation. 

With the advent of new governments in the US and New Zealand there appears to be mounting pressure to commercialise GE animals and crops.  Any discussions over commercialisation of GE that threaten our GE-Free reputation and future production must be made public and transparent and involve the whole country.

John Key has committed himself to building the New Zealand brand and that must focus on safe, sustainable and ethically produced quality products the world wants. 

The cruel use of transgenic animals and commercialisation of GE crops cannot be part of that economy.  The values many cultures within New Zealand share must not be put at risk and the‘Kiwi’ reputation must not be undermined.

Transgenic animals suffer markedly from low birth rates, deformities and ill health, and will damage our reputation around the world. New Zealand is being targeted by overseas investors for farming of GE animals as bio factories for the potential production of products that are already safely made through conventional means.

“The use of transgenic animals pushes New Zealand to the brink, and only leads to more animal suffering and a total abdication of animal rights,” said Claire Bleakley from GE Free NZ in food and environment.

Many of the products that are being identified for genetic engineering are a direct result of the last century of chemical pollution and degradation of the food supply.  But no amount of transgenic product will address the damage and the best solution is to remove the cause. 

The commercial risk to our international reputation is significant. ACT and National must end ‘socialised risk’ and instead put liability on commercial organisations using GE animals and crops that damage the New Zealand brand.

“With millions of US consumers keen to buy GE-free produce from New Zealand let's not try and force through a failed technology to the detriment of our animals environment and economy.  Let’s look at what has brought us here over the millennia and advance sustainable non transgenic methods of agricultural commerce and production” she said.

ENDS

Claire Bleakley 06-3089842 / 0273486731
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4.Important websites for Australo-Pacific
*GLOBAL LINKS*
http://www.bangmfood.org/global-links

MADGE (Mothers are Demystifying Genetic Engineering)
http://www.madge.org.au
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Gene Ethics
http://www.geneethics.org
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Network of Concerned Farmers
http://www.non-gm-farmers.com/
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Say No to GMO
http://no-gmo.asn.au/
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The True Food Network (Australia)
www.truefood.org.au
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Biological Farmers of Australia
http://www.bfa.com.au/
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GE Free New Zealand
http://www.gefree.org.nz/
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Sustainability Council of New Zealand
http://www.sustainabilitynz.org/
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GE Free Northland
http://www.gefreenorthland.org.nz