GE deal sells out farmers - 27 October 2005

Greens MLC Ian Cohen says that agriculture ministers meeting in Tasmania have sold out farmers that wish to remain GE free.

“Organic farmers wanting to produce GE free canola products are in real trouble,” Mr Cohen said.

“They are going to have to undergo expensive testing procedures to ensure their crops have not been contaminated.

“The Governments should have been trying to contain the contamination by ensuring next year’s seed stock was completely GE free.

“Instead the Federal and State Governments have legalized ongoing contamination.

“NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald should be ashamed that he has sold out NSW farmers.

“Many of those farmers rely upon the clean and green tag. GE contamination now poses a massive risk to their market advantage.

“The ministers should have agreed to bring in a strict liability scheme so that those companies producing the GE product compensate farmers for loss caused by any contamination of their GE free crop,” Mr Cohen said.


Further Information: Ben Oquist 02 92303305 or 0419704095