NSW beware: an end to GE moratorium turns our entire state into a laboratory - 14 August 2007

Question marks over the GE industry that led NSW to extend its moratorium remain unanswered as Canberra ramps up its plan to genetically modify NSW.

"Ian MacDonald and Morris Iemma must not cave in to Howard government bullying on GM,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen today.

“The NSW government is focussed on canola in the current review process but the effect of lifting the GE crop moratorium will be the opening up of NSW to any and all genetically modified crops approved by Canberra.

“If this moratorium is lifted, then our entire state will be turned into a GE laboratory, with no local controls over the introduction of other GE crops.

“There are already rumours of Syngenta’s GE corn salesmen knocking on Australia’s door with a product rejected by the South Africans due to human health concerns.

“Meanwhile Peter McGauran is in his GE canola Trojan horse, trying to sneak his GE crops into NSW while Morris Iemma’s government is distracted by bio-tech companies selling product not proven by NSW field trials.

“Questions of strict legal liability remain unanswered. If a hard working farmer’s GE free crop is contaminated by their neighbour’s GE crop and the EU market rejects them as a supplier – who pays?

“If NSW opens itself up to genetically modified crops that damage human health and / or the environment – who’s liable?

“The federal government’s new report on GM canola does not answer these questions that led NSW to extend its moratorium on growing GE crops back in 2005,” said Mr Cohen.


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