NSW should follow WA’s lead on GM - 31 August 2007

Greens Upper House MP Ian Cohen today called for the extension of the ban on commercial GM crops in NSW, on the day of the closing of submissions to the review of the moratorium.

The Greens’ call to extend the moratorium comes one day after WA Agriculture and Food Minister Kim Chance introduced legislation making it an offence “to import, sell or be in possession of prohibited [GM] seed”.

“The West Australians have moved to legislate to protect their industry’s GM-free status and their Agriculture Minister is urging other states including NSW to maintain the ban on GM and protect canola cropping and grain handling systems,” said Mr Cohen.

“The moratorium here in NSW was extended in 2005 because, according to the NSW Government, there had been a lack of segregation trials and because there were uncertainties related to the marketability of GM and non-GM products.

“These issues have not been resolved. There have been no field trials in NSW since 2005 and difficulties with segregation were highlighted by contamination of canola crops with GM seed in late 2005. There is still huge resistance to GM products among consumers both here and in export markets like Japan and the EU.

“The issue of public liability also remains unsolved. Why should farmers who don’t want to grow GM crops be the ones to bear the brunt of the costs if contamination of their crops occurs through no fault of their own?

“Australian farmers are reaping the profits of the clean GM free status, with our canola fetching higher prices than that of Canadian and American GM grain. Lifting the moratorium removes choice for farmers and for consumers.

“NSW farmers have a real opportunity here if the ban is extended, to maintain and grow their niche markets in Australia and overseas for organic and GM-free products. This also has the added benefit of helping smaller producers practicing sustainable agriculture.

“The ban on GM crops protects organic production, which is an industry that should be supported due to its environmental and health benefits. The USA has lost markets for organic products due to the prevalence of GM crops,” Mr Cohen said.

Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466