South Perth, Western Australia
December 23, 2008
The State Government today
announced its decision to allow approval of limited
commercial-size trials for genetically modified canola to go
ahead in Western Australia.
Agriculture and Food
Minister Terry Redman said the announcement will allow trial
crops to be planted in 2009 involving around 20 farmers and
approximately 1000 hectares.
“This decision is a prudent and responsible one - to proceed in
a cautious manner by allowing research to continue into the use
of GM technology. I firmly believe the role of any Government is
to ensure farmers have the choice and the tools to expand their
businesses and grow their profitability,” Mr Redman said.
“GM canola could potentially offer higher yields through better
weed control and less fuel usage. Successful development of
Roundup Ready canola could see canola grown over lower rainfall
areas. This would be a great outcome for the entire state.”
“The locations of the trials are to be determined. Growers that
are interested will undergo stewardship training and then the
proponent together with CBH will select up to 20 growers to
undertake the trials under conditions approved by the
Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
“I am confident that CBH has the protocols in place to manage
the co-existence process to effectively segregate GM and non-GM
canola through the transport, storage and marketing processes.
These trials will assess those protocols as well as look at the
agronomic performance of the crop.
“The Department of Agriculture and Food will work
collaboratively with industry through the trials and assist all
industry participants with auditing and on-site inspection of
the new trials. The Department will then analyse the results of
the trials.”
“The decision follows a long consultative process with industry,
the public, Local Government, and overseas experience.”
Mr Redman said there would be stringent safeguards in place for
the management of these trials.
“The trials will be managed in a closed-loop system which
requires the product to be delivered to a specified receival
point and processed by specified oil crushers.
“This is the same management system that is being used
successfully in New South Wales and Victoria, where Roundup
Ready canola was grown for the first time this year.”
Mr Redman said that he recognised concern in the community
surrounding the issue of labelling in regard to GM food
products.
“Labelling is an issue that requires a national perspective
which is why I am following the national review of labelling
with great interest. Linked in with this, I am establishing a WA
intergovernmental committee. This committee will investigate the
issues of appropriate consumer information, labelling
requirements and compliance with regard to GM foods,” he said. |
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