Source: Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited, Biotech Bulletin 18

INTRODUCTION

Coexistence remains a topic of discussion as a result of the continued global increase and adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops. More than eight million farmers in 21 countries grew GM crops across 90 million hectares in 2005.

Last October, national consensus was achieved in Australia regarding practical thresholds to deal with the issue of traces of GM canola in conventional canola consignments and variety trials. The Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC), which is comprised of Ministers from the Australian Government and each state and territory, agreed upon adventitious presence (AP) thresholds for the presence of GM canola in conventional grain and seed.

Adventitious presence can be defined as the unintentional mixing of trace amounts of seed of one plant variety with another variety. Low levels of varietal impurities are an inherent problem in seed and grain production, and this has clearly been recognised by industry groups and Australian and international regulatory authorities through the establishment of practical AP thresholds. Seed standards and tolerances, and seed production processes that minimise low levels of impurities, have been implemented to keep AP levels to a realistic and acceptable level in many different commodities, including grains. By implementing sound on-farm management practices, growers can, and have, kept AP levels within the required threshold.

The PIMC meeting agreed on two thresholds:

• An AP threshold of 0.9 per cent GM canola in canola grain. This is the threshold supported by the Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF).

• A second threshold for AP of GM canola in seed was set at 0.5 per cent for 2006 and 2007, to be reduced to 0.1 per cent thereafter. The Australian Seed Federation (ASF) established an AP threshold of 0.5 per cent GM seed in non-GM planting seed in 2003 following two years of research and consultation with the canola seed industry.

Following this development, Agrifood Awareness Australia (AFAA) Limited's Towards Coexistence: Management practices for agricultural production systems publication was distributed in February to more than 35,000 grain growers and agribusiness representatives across Australia.

Complete newsletter in PDF format at http://www.afaa.com.au

Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited is an industry initiative established in 1999, to increase public awareness of and encourage informed debate about, gene technology. The organisation is supported by three peak bodies - the National Farmers' Federation, the Grains Research and Development Corporation and CropLife Australia Limited (formerly Avcare).

Disclaimer: Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited gives no warranty and makes no representation that the information contained in this document is suitable for any purpose or is free from error. Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited accepts no responsibility for any person acting or relying upon the information contained in this document, and disclaims all liability.