Australia
March 26, 2007
"The
Biological Farmers of Australia
is deeply concerned that CSIRO
has decided to scrap the work of Dr Maarten Stapper an
agronomist within Plant Sciences. This area of research that is
critical not only to the organic sector, but also to the
thousands of farmers around Australia right now developing
better soil biology – specifically during a time of massive
investment in finding sustainable and effective means of
sequestering atmospheric carbon," said Scott Kinnear
spokesperson for BFA.
Elaine Ingham and Arden Anderson have operated successful farm
seminars that thousands of farmers have attended and the work of
Maarten Stapper supported the principles put forward in their
work.
"For Dr Burdon to say that CSIRO does not consider biological
and organic farming to be "a long-term viable strategy" is
extraordinary. At no time has CSIRO approached our organisation
to discuss their views or to seek input on the technologies and
processes undertaken on cutting edge organic farms. The BFA
finds this statement akin to IBM’s 1950s view of the world
market for computers being a total of 5!"
"The rest of the world is getting behind research into organic
farming and now looking at the quality characteristics of
organic foods compared with conventionally grown foods. In
addition most State Governments are actively developing research
and development programs to support the growth of the organic
sector to supply the demand coming domestically and from export
markets in Asia, Nth America and Europe."
"We have for many years been concerned at the commercialisation
of research within CSIRO whereby patentable technologies with
income generation potential are favoured. This applies to their
research into genetically engineered foods which has cost CSIRO
many tens of millions of dollars for no commercial food product
to show. Remember the failed CSIRO GE field pea that caused an
allergic reaction in mice, shelved last year at a huge cost to
the taxpayer.
"We believe that the States should look closely at employing
Maarten Stapper, who by all accounts was one of the most sort
after presenters at field days and seminars because his research
was cutting edge and provided real immediate benefits. We are
most concerned that CSIRO is prepared to say they see no future
in organic farming, yet are prepared to waste extraordinary
amounts of money supporting genetic engineering that the general
public overall does not want. Demand for organic food is growing
at about 15% per year globally and estimates put the market at
more than $50 billion AUD."
"We must remember that European farming has been disastrous for
our ancient and fragile soils in Australia and one of the
fundamental keys to soil fertility under our unique conditions,
which are so different to North America and Europe, is the
healthy maintenance of biological activity in the soil. Farmers
are aware that healthy soil biology increases carbon which
improves structure and capacity to hold water and ultimately
leads to an improved soil which will yield more food of higher
quality."
"It seems that CSIRO has conveniently ended their one small
research program supporting biological and organic farming while
at the same time ending the employment of a scientist who was
privately critical of genetic engineering. The fact that he was
very much admired and supported by the farming community really
adds insult to injury with this decision."
"The BFA calls on CSIRO to rethink their decision to drop this
research and we will be seeking a face to face meeting with Dr
Burdon and the relevant Minister to ask them to explain CSIRO's
views."
The BFA is the largest organic organisation in Australia
comprising of farmers, processors, wholesalers, retailers,
consumers and exporters. Through its subsidiary certification
organisations Australian Certified Organic (ACO) and Organic
Growers of Australia (OGA) the BFA provides certification
services to approximately 75% of the organic sector. |
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