NEWS FROM WESTERN AUSTRALIA
1.WA sacrifices its GM-free competitive advantage
2.WA farmers allowed to grow GM canola

EXTRACTS: Monsanto's Roundup tolerant canola was launched in 1996 yet Australia is only the third country in the world to grow it - after Canada and the USA. The twenty other countries growing canola have just ignored GM varieties. (item 1)

Opposition Agriculture Minister Mick Murray said the decision would have negative long-term economic and social impacts on WA that could not be reversed.

"WA's green, GM-free image has been lost forever,'' Mr Murray said.

"This is an ill-conceived, reckless and unjustified decision made by a Government which has given no thought to the consequences," he said in a statement.

"The effects of this decision will be felt for generations to come."

Mr Murray said almost 90 per cent of submissions made to a review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 had opposed the introduction of GM crops.

More than half the shires in [Western Australia] had declared themselves GM crop free, he said. [item 2]
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1.WA sacrifices its GM-free competitive advantage
Gene Ethics MEDIA RELEASE, January 25 2010

The Western Australian parliament must disallow the exemption from the law that would allow commercial Roundup tolerant genetically manipulated (GM) canola to be commercially grown. Gene Ethics is fully informing MPs with the data needed to reject the exemption order when it comes up for review.

"Redman and Barnett are sacrificing the state's unique competitive advantage and premium prices for GM-free foods available in global canola markets. WA, SA and Tasmania are the only reliable exporters of GM-free canola world-wide and we are reaping the rewards," says Gene Ethics Director Bob Phelps.

"The Premier and Minister are misusing their power and shirking their responsibility to declare GM and GM-free Zones over all or part of the state to protect and promote the markets for clean, green, GM-free WA foods.

"Gene Ethics calls on all Western Australian parliamentarians to vote to disallow this mad, bad decision when it comes before the parliament for review. The market and feral weed impacts of herbicide tolerant GM canola make rejecting the exemption the only sane decision.

"Redman's pro-GM decision is no surprise. As Minister, he has been courted in public and private by Monsanto executives, and funded a two hour GM promotional forum that cost taxpayers about $25,000. In contrast, he consistently ignores well-informed critics of GM crops," Bob Phelps says.

"Monsanto is the outright winner from this government's GM escapade. The world's biggest seed company always needs new places to peddle its patented GM seed and to hijack its GM-free competitors. The US government is investigating Monsanto's monopolistic behaviour that includes restricting access to non-GM seed, suing farmers who unwittingly grow GM because of contamination and suing companies that make GM-free claims on organic and other foods.

"Redman's claims of benefits from GM canola are as hollow as Monsanto's 'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow' ads published last week. Terry has now approved the GM equivalent of Windows '95, on the empty promises of better GM crops in the future. Monsanto's Roundup tolerant canola was launched in 1996 yet Australia is only the third country in the world to grow it - after Canada and the USA. The twenty other countries growing canola have just ignored GM varieties.

"Most Western Australian shoppers, and shoppers in our top five markets overseas - Netherlands, France, Pakistan, Japan and Belgium - want to stay GM-free. We should not side with our main GM competitor Canada against the wishes of our customers. It's just bad business.

We expect the parliament with listen to shoppers and food processors and over-rule the GM cowboys in government who would allow GM canola without restriction," Mr Phelps concludes.

Further information or interviews:
Bob Phelps, Gene Ethics director: (03) 9347 4500; 0449 769 066
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2.WA farmers allowed to grow GM canola
AAP, January 25 2010
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/wa-farmers-allowed-to-grow-gm-canola/story-e6frfku0-1225823381481?from=public_rss

WESTERN Australia has become the third Australian state to allow farmers to grow genetically modified (GM) canola.

Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today approved an exemption order under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 to permit cultivation of the GM crop.

Premier Colin Barnett said the step fulfilled a key election promise to approve commercial-size trials of GM canola and brought WA into line with the other major grain-growing states, NSW and Victoria.

"WA farmers are some of the best in the world, but they need to have access to new technology like GM canola to remain competitive in the global marketplace," Mr Barnett said in making the announcement in Perth.

Mr Redman said commercial trials in WA last year had demonstrated successful cultivation and segregation of GM canola.

"The 17 commercial growers of GM canola throughout the agricultural areas were impressed with the performance of the GM technology package when compared with other varieties of canola," he said.

He said there had been 11 "minor events" during the delivery of more than 1200 tonnes of GM canola to receiving sites during the trials.

"All were managed appropriately and segregation from paddock to port was achieved," he said in a statement.

Mr Redman said GM canola yields were comparable to non-GM varieties.

Growers reported the GM technology allowed efficient weed control and ease of management, including the option to dry seed, he said.

"I do not expect GM canola to be suitable for all farming systems, but it provides an additional tool for WA growers. Growers continue to have the choice of growing non-GM varieties," Mr Redman said.

"WA is the major canola producing state in Australia, and in 2008-09 we exported $535 million worth of the crop ...

"Access to modern technology is important for WA agriculture to help growers improve profitability and maintain international competitiveness."

Opposition Agriculture Minister Mick Murray said the decision would have negative long-term economic and social impacts on WA that could not be reversed.

"WA's green, GM-free image has been lost forever,'' Mr Murray said.

"This is an ill-conceived, reckless and unjustified decision made by a Government which has given no thought to the consequences," he said in a statement.

"The effects of this decision will be felt for generations to come."

Mr Murray said almost 90 per cent of submissions made to a review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 had opposed the introduction of GM crops.

More than half the shires in Mr Redman's electorate had declared themselves GM crop free, he said.