South Perth, Western Australia
May 21, 2009
The
Department of Agriculture
and Food has commenced inspections of the State’s first GM
canola trials with seeding of up to 1000 hectares expected to be
completed on 20 sites this month.
The team of authorised officers will make regular visits to all
of the farming properties and department research sites at
Geraldton and Esperance hosting the commercial trials to ensure
correct procedures are followed.
Seeding of the GM canola had been delayed in some areas, as
farmers waited for breaking rains.
Department Agricultural systems manager David Bowran said all
participants had signed a licence agreeing to allow the
authorised officers access to their farms to inspect the site,
machinery hygiene and facilities.
Dr Bowran said the officers would visit each site at least three
times during the 2009 season at sowing, flowering and after
harvest to inspect handling processes and provide advice. This
would be followed up with management of volunteer canola plants
in succeeding years.
“Equipment used at all stages will be checked, starting with
storage bins for the seed, storage equipment, sprayers,
harvesting equipment, field bins, silos and then the trucks to
take the seed to the CBH receival bin,” Dr Bowran said.
 |
|
Authorised officer Shari Dougall with department
officers Wayne Parker and Steve Cosh make sure
seeding equipment is ready for the GM canola trial
at Geraldton |
The team, comprising Ross Ramm
(Albany), Vince Lambert (Katanning), Marcus Owen (Lake
Grace/Merredin) and Shari Dougall (Wongan Hills), have pure seed
production experience from research stations and are well
qualified to assist individual farmers.
They will work closely with a number of department development
officers to provide regional information and Nufarm advisers who
are coordinating the trials for Monsanto.
Dr Bowran said the department’s AGWEST plant laboratories would
also be involved with verifying that seed and grain were handled
correctly outside of the farm. This would include inspection of
CBH bins and road transport arrangements. |
|
