Iemma’s Xmas gift to farmers: new weeds, higher costs, lost markets and litigation - 18 December 2007

A new report on the experience of Canadian farmers growing GM canola was released publicly today by Greenpeace.

“The clear advice to NSW farmers is that GM canola is one gift they should be returning to the Government after Xmas, unopened,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.

“Minister Macdonald said it’s possible to segregate GM from GM-free canola but Canadian farmers have proven that you cannot.

“Minister Macdonald said farmers will make more money with GM crops but increasing seed and technology fees combined with higher herbicide costs will mean that farmers won’t.

“Minister Macdonald claims that no markets will be lost when Australia loses its GM free status but Canadian farmers have lost markets.

“Minister Macdonald has not emphasised the serious danger that GM canola may hybridise with noxious weeds, such as wild radish, posing severe economic and ecological challenges to farmers, but the evidence is there that they could.

“Australia already has severe problems with weeds and with a climate much warmer than Canada’s we can expect greater problems with GM super weeds.

“Minister Macdonald and the coalition did not support Greens amendments to the GM legislation that would have offered greater protection to farmers at risk of economic loss from GM contamination.

“Minister Macdonald should do us all a favour and read ‘GE Canola – out of control in Canada’ over the Xmas break and then come back to Parliament for a public debate on these issues in the New Year,” said Mr Cohen.

Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466 or Nic Clyde on 0417 742 754