Bayer CropScience and Monsanto have submitted a joint application to the New South Wales Minister of Agriculture for the trialing of GM canola in 2004.

The application, which has strong farmer and industry support, is the next step in the process to generate information on the agronomic, economic and environmental benefits of this technology to Australian farmers and other interested stakeholders.

The application requests an exemption to the NSW moratorium for 2004, in order to allow trial plantings for research and development purposes and to conduct a trial to demonstrate the management of co-existence between GM and non-GM canola. All trials will be carried out under prescribed conditions. These include specific site management plans.

“In consultation with Industry, the coexistence trial is designed to produce a ‘ship hatch’ of grain.” said Susie O’Neill, Bayer CropScience’s BioScience General Manager. “A ship hatch is approximately 5000 tonnes, and the grain will be exported to one of the many Australian export markets that accept GM canola. 5000 tonnes represents a very small portion of the total Australian canola crop, estimated to be 1.75 million tonnes in 2003, but it will be sufficient to begin to assess the impact of growing GM canola on Australia’s export markets, in a controlled way.”

“Bayer CropScience is committed to the cautious and phased introduction of its InVigor hybrid canola after the NSW moratorium expires. Following environmental and human safety approval by the OGTR for InVigor hybrid canola in July 2003, the proposed research in 2004 is the next step that needs to be taken to answer outstanding questions on market access and trade.” Said Ms O’Neill.

Bayer CropScience and Monsanto have agreed to work with the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) who would independently facilitate and oversee the co-existence element of the trials in 2004. The AOF offers expertise from farmer to grain handler, marketer and processor and is the ideal partner for this trial program.

Monsanto’s Roundup Ready canola is pending approval by the Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), and their participation in this trial program is subject to obtaining final approval from the OGTR.

InVigor hybrid canola has been trialled in Australia since 1996, and has been grown commercially in Canada since 1997. Australia’s major canola export markets, such as Japan and China, accept GM canola imports today.

Bayer CropScience believes InVigor hybrid canola offers substantial benefits to farmers including environmental and agronomic benefits such as greater yields, better weed control and a reduction in both tillage and herbicide use. The company strongly believes Australian farmers should be given the choice of whether or not they want to grow GM canola and the proposed trials will assist them in making informed decisions.