Sydney, New South Wales
November 27, 2007
New South Wales (NSW) farmers will
be given the choice to grow the type of canola crop they want,
putting them on a level playing field with overseas farmers for
the first time, Primary
Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today.
Minister Macdonald said amendments would be made to existing
legislation in this session of Parliament - ending the four year
moratorium on Genetically Modified canola crops.
"All of the existing strict health and environment assessments
will be maintained at a national level through
the Office of the Gene
Technology Regulator (OGTR)," he said.
"This Bill will establish an expert committee to assess whether
an industry is prepared and capable of segregating GM and non-GM
food crops.
"It’s important to note the Minister will have the power to
refuse approval to cultivate a specific crop if an industry
fails to meet the criteria imposed by the expert committee."
Minister Macdonald said that NSW farmers had been missing out on
valuable export opportunities to countries like Canada and the
United States as a result of the failure to adopt GM canola.
"Market conditions have changed since the Act was introduced
with GM canola now responsible for 70% of the world’s trade," he
said.
"NSW farmers will now have a choice as to whether they want to
grow GM canola or not and customers will be able to decide
whether or not they want to buy them - this is all about
informed choice," he said.
"This process has been thoroughly investigated over the last
four years, several types of canola have been approved for sale
by the OGTR, now is the time to act."
Minister Macdonald said the move to allow GM canola to be grown
followed a comprehensive review by a three-member panel chaired
by former Nationals leader Ian Armstrong.
"This panel received 1375 submissions and conducted more than 30
interviews on issues associated with the marketing and trade
aspects of GM crops," he said.
"The review found that it was time for change and that farmers
and markets wanted the choice. There is a confidence out there
in the industry that it is time to move into the future on this
important issue - while keeping the strictest of safeguards in
place."
Minister Macdonald said there were obvious benefits to allowing
GM crops to be grown in NSW.
"To put it simply - our farmers have been missing out.
Genetically modified crops are already grown in 22 countries by
more than 10 million farmers and GM canola has a gross margin
benefit of $45 a hectare," he said.
"GM canola will have a positive environmental impact as well.
For example, the first genetically modified cotton crops grown
in Australia produced a natural insecticide which, by the second
generation, saw a reduction in pesticide applications of 75%."
Minister Macdonald said NSW had been in close consultation with
other states on the GM issue.
"We have had discussions with Victoria and South Australia and
expect them to make their own decisions in due course," he said.
"We understand that there needs to be a national framework, and
we will continue to work towards that through the Primary
Industries Ministerial Council."
Minister Macdonald said the strongest safeguards would remain in
place.
"The OGTR has carried out detailed assessments and found that GM
canola is as safe for humans and the environment as conventional
canola," he said.
"GM canola will be segregated from non-GM canola - people will
know what they are eating.
"Strict labelling laws will be in place and segregation of
grains is carried out routinely in the Australian supply chain -
for example more than 50 segregated wheat products are exported
annually."
GM canola will be available for the 2008 planting season on a
limited basis.
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