If genetically modified (GM) canola was introduced in Australia, additional costs to producers of identity preserved non-GM canola would average just 4-6 per cent of their farm gate canola price in a typical year.

This was one of the key findings of a GRDC supported ABARE report, 'GM Grains In Australia: Identity Preservation', which can be downloaded from www.abareconomics.com

Releasing the report, ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde, flagged the wide and successful experience in Australia of identity preservation with conventional grains such as durum and malting barley.

ABARE believed identity preservation costs with GM crops were modest and manageable.

GRDC Manager, Gene Discovery, Dr Andreas Betzner, welcomed the report, saying it was important to quantify identity preservation costs so that growers could begin to better assess the economics of growing GM crops.