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1.WA markets affected by GM canola
2.Email claims Japanese GM concerns
3.Minister denies trade with Japan threatened by GM canola

EXTRACTS: The emails, obtained under freedom of information laws, were written in January and discuss the Premier's visit to Japan in February.

One of the emails, written by Craig Peacock, the WA trade commissioner to Japan says, there is a strong concern the new government is ignoring the concerns of a major customer base.

It goes on to say the concerns will eventually have a negative impact on all facets of Japan-WA agribusiness. (item 2)

WA's Tokyo trade office commissioner Craig Peacock warned a colleague of the need for damage control if GM crops were introduced in WA.

"I must stress how strongly the Japanese feel about this and the impression is that the new government is ignoring or taking lightly the concerns of a major customer base," Mr Peacock wrote.

"This is not the voice of a crank group of zealots; it is in the press and on TV.

"If this continues it will eventually have a negative impact on all facets of Japan-WA agribusiness. It is that serious." (item 3)
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1.WA markets affected by GM canola
Gene Ethics Media Alert: Sunday June 7

Genetically Manipulated canola will likely impact sales in Japan WA state official says. GM canola will cost farmers dearly, with lost markets in Asia and Europe.

"The WA government ignored the advice of its own officials and other evidence that export markets would be harmed, when it lifted its GM crop ban," says Gene Ethics Director, Bob Phelps.

"WA should rejoin the SA, ACT and Tasmanian bans on commercial GM canola.

"This would protect the integrity of its clean, green brand and increase sales of the state's top quality GM-free foods around the world, at premium prices.

"Lost access to markets due to GM canola is a disaster waiting to happen.

"WA, NSW and Victoria should nurture their farmers' independence from the GM giants, by banning failed and dangerous GM technology that offers nothing to farmers or shoppers.

"We call for the whole of Australia to again be GM-free, with bans on GM crops," Mr Phelps concludes.

Comment: 03 9889 1717 (H) 0449 769 066 (M) 03 9347 4500 (O)
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2.Email claims Japanese GM concerns
ABC News, June 7 2009
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/07/2591540.htm

Email correspondence has revealed WA's trade commissioner to Japan has serious concerns about the production and sale of genetically modified crops to Japan.

The emails, obtained under freedom of information laws, were written in January and discuss the Premier's visit to Japan in February.

One of the emails, written by Craig Peacock, the WA trade commissioner to Japan says, there is a strong concern the new government is ignoring the concerns of a major customer base.

It goes on to say the concerns will eventually have a negative impact on all facets of Japan-WA agribusiness.

The State Opposition's Mark McGowan (T: 08 9592 7422 F: 08 9592 1683 E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) says the government needs to re-instate the moratorium on GM crops.

"Japan is our number one trading partner in terms of agricultural and fisheries products, more than $840 million a year of trade that we send to Japan," he said.
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3.Minister denies trade with Japan threatened by GM canola
WA Today, June 7 2009 
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/minister-denies-trade-with-japan-threatened-by -gm-canola-20090607-bzof.html

Western Australia's $800 million agri-business trade is not at risk from trials of genetically modified canola despite opposition claims, WA Agriculture Minister Terry Redman says.

Emails from WA's trade office in Japan reveal agri-business trade with Japan could be at risk if genetically-modified crops are introduced in the state, the WA opposition says.

The emails were obtained by opposition trade minister Mark McGowan through a freedom of information request.

In one of the three emails, WA's Tokyo trade office commissioner Craig Peacock warned a colleague of the need for damage control if GM crops were introduced in WA.

"I must stress how strongly the Japanese feel about this and the impression is that the new government is ignoring or taking lightly the concerns of a major customer base," Mr Peacock wrote.

"This is not the voice of a crank group of zealots; it is in the press and on TV.

"If this continues it will eventually have a negative impact on all facets of Japan-WA agribusiness. It is that serious."

GM canola trials are underway in WA under the Liberal-National government.

Mr Redman signed an exemption order to allow the trials after the Greens and Labor combined to block the move in the state's upper house earlier this year.

He says only a small amount of WA canola is exported to Japan and most of it does not receive a premium.

"Japan currently imports over two million tonnes of canola from Canada, which is GM canola," Mr Redman told AAP.

"If you look at Western Australia, we grow just short of a million tonnes a year and we export into Japan somewhere between 150,000 tonnes and 200,000 tonnes.

"We're not seeing any measure of significant price difference between the GM and non-GM canola going into Japan."

About 10 per cent of the canola exported to Japan from WA went into a specific niche, non-GM market, Mr Redman said.

"I'm expecting we will be able to maintain that," he said.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Mick Murray said WA's agriculture, fibre and fisheries exports to Japan were worth $814 million.

"Mr Peacock is an experienced, well-respected trade representative," Mr Murray said.

"His warnings are clear and direct and should be ringing alam bells throughout the farming community."