NEWS FROM AUSTRALIA
1.Williams farmers continue fast over GM crop trials
2.Potential Industry Sabotage with GM Wheat
3.Tasmania supplier of choice for GM-free
4.FOOD DETECTIVE: contamination spreading into food chain

EXTRACT: "It's down to the consumer. If they don't want GM canola, you can't force GM canola on them." (item 3)
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1.Williams farmers continue fast over GM crop trials
Yasemine Phillips
The West Australian, May 14, 2009
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=146&ContentID=141486 

Farmers from the Shire of Williams will enter the second day of their fast at Parliament House today in protest against the State Government’s plans to go ahead with genetically modified canola trials.

Janette Liddelow, whose family are third-generation farmers 10km north of Williams, said she had joined three of her neighbours to make a stand because of the long-term implications for WA farmers.

“We’re like family, country people and the Nationals ”” and that is what is so distressing ”” we’re all from the same stock and yet there is this huge division,” she said.

“They’re planting these seeds now from Geraldton to Albany so this is a last-ditch, desperate measure to stop it because once it’s up and growing, we’ve lost our GM-free status forever.” 

Agriculture Minister Terry Redman announced the 20 sites, covering 850ha, for WA’s first commercial-sized trials of GM canola last month. So far, 20 shires have requested GM-free status, including Williams.

Protesters did not eat between 9am and 6pm yesterday and will continue their fast today on the front steps of Parliament.

Shadow agriculture minister Mick Murray said the fight against GM crops would continue but he was concerned that regional residents felt they had to go to such drastic measures to be heard.

Mr Redman said he respected people’s right to protest but the Government was committed to investigating new technology.
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2.Potential Industry Sabotage with GM Wheat
Network of Concerned Farmers, 15 May 2009 

The Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF) was shocked today to find Australian farm lobby groups supported GM wheat development and the coordinated approach to prevent farmers marketing as non-GM. The statement was approved by Grains Council of Australia and PGA along with United States and Canadian grower organisations.

"The introduction of GM wheat is nothing short of industry sabotage as markets do not want it," said Julie Newman NCF National Spokesperson. 

"It does not matter how good GM wheat is if we can't sell it but its sabotage if it stops non-GM farmers selling our wheat too."

"Commercial GM crops are restricted to those crops that are primarily used for fibre, oil or stock food, but GM wheat is primarily used for human consumption and is not accepted by markets. If GM wheat is grown in any state, the market perception would be that all wheat in that state would be GM unless proven to be non-GM which is too difficult and expensive. This is the reason why no GM wheat has been commercialised anywhere in the world."

The combined GM wheat statement suggested synchronised commercialisation to minimise market disruptions and a commitment to work with other stakeholders before commercialisation. 

"Experience has shown that while industry promises to segregate for political purposes, there is no intention to deliver it. Choice is denied as all the costs, liabilities and responsibilities are imposed on non-GM farmers."

"The intention of this GM wheat joint alliance is clearly to force all farmers to market as GM in the hope that farmers and consumers are denied a non-GM choice."

"We can not allow negligent decisions to destroy our industry."

The NCF support fair risk management to ensure non-GM farmers are not adversely impacted by GM crops and also support non-GM biotechnology.

Contact Julie Newman Phone 08 98711562 

GM Wheat Statement can be found:
http://www.pgaofwa.org.au/system/press_release/file/0000/0061/FINAL_Trilateral_B iotech_Statement.pdf
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3.AUSTRALIA-GM GRAIN
ABC, via farminguk.com, 30 April 2009
http://www.farminguk.com/news/Australia-GM-grain.15803.asp 

Tasmania is becoming a supplier of choice when it comes to the GM-free grain market 

Japanese trading company Kanematsu Corporation has imported 1500 tonnes of Tasmanian canola seed this year, and it wants more, for a Tasmanian-branded non-genetically modified cooking oil . 

New business development manager Steven Fairbrother says Tasmania is filling a niche for GM-free canola and he’s started talking to farmers about growing non-GM soya beans. 

"It's down to the consumer. If they don't want GM canola, you can't force GM canola on them, and customers are willing to pay for it in Japan still, surprisingly." 
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4. FOOD DETECTIVE 
Michelle Rowe
The Australian, May 9 2009 
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25433403-5010800,00.html

DETECTIVE loathes: Reports that genetically modified foods are creeping into our food chain, just a year after the Victorian and NSW governments lifted bans on commercial growth of GM canola. Australian grain handler Graincorp plans to mix GM canola with the main crop in this year's harvest, meaning the likes of canola oil, baby food, biscuits and pre-prepared meals made with canola will be genetically modified. 
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