Canberra, Australia
August 22, 2007
Genetically modified (GM) crops
can be safely grown and marketed alongside conventional crops in
Australia, according to a new report released today by
Australia's Minister for
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter McGauran.
The report,
A National Market Access Framework for GM Canola and Future GM
Crops, looks at key supply chain issues that will need to be
carefully managed to allow GM crops to co-exist with
conventional crops.
Mr McGauran said the report would help governments and industry
to develop future coexistence strategies for GM crops.
“Australian farmers should be able to grow GM crops parallel
with conventional crops,”
Mr McGauran said.
“State moratoriums on the production of GM crops prevent the
release of licensed GM canola. If these bans are not lifted,
farmers will be denied the opportunity to grow crops that will
increase their international competitiveness.
“With moratoriums in four states under review, GM canola could
potentially be grown in Australia from 2008. It is therefore
vital that the grains industry is able to make informed
decisions about the coexistence of GM and conventional crops.”
Key points in the report include:
- Growers want confidence
the market will support them if they adopt GM crops
- Customers want confidence
in the integrity of the supply chain
- Governments, industry,
customers and the community want confidence that market
choice can be maintained.
The report identified a number of
market access criteria for licensed GM crops, including:
- Identification of
market requirements for the new variety
- Regulatory approval by
key trading partners
- Establishing
thresholds for accidental presence and
- Providing robust
traceability and verification of product integrity.
“GM crop varieties must be
licensed by the Gene Technology Regulator before they can be
grown in Australia to guarantee they are safe for both human
health and the environment,” Mr McGauran concluded.
The report by SGA Solutions, funded under the Australian
Government’s National Biotechnology Strategy, is available on
the Department of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry website at
http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/370021/gmcanola_pathway_to_market.pdf |
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