Western Australia Approves GM Canola
The state government of Western Australia (WA) recently announced its decisionto allow the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) canola within the region as of this year. State Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman reportedly signed the exemption order under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act of 2003, thus permitting WA farmers to grow GM canola varieties approved by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator. Redman noted that, according to a government report, commercial trials have proven the feasibility of segregating GM canola “from paddock to port,” a requirement of the Act meant to preserve the state’s “markets and reputation by preventing the introduction of GM crops before adequate segregation and identity preservation systems are in place.” As WA Premier Colin Barnett stated, “This decision brings WA in line with other major grain growing states in New South Wales and Victoria, where growers have been able to grow GM canola commercially since 2008. WA farmers are some of the best in the world, but they need to have access to new technology like GM canola to remain competitive in the global marketplace.” See WA Press Release, January 25, 2010.
Meanwhile, Greenpeace has publicly criticized the announcement, claiming that the “decision to ignore the recommendations of the Parliamentary Review Committee and allow GM crops to be grown commercially, risks Western Australia’s major export market and ignores domestic consumer wishes, while delivering no real support for farmers.” Greenpeace has alleged that the introduction of GM canola will run afoul of the European Union’s strict GM labeling laws and jeopardize “Western Australia’s major canola export markets, which in 2008-09 were the Netherlands, France, Pakistan, Japan and Belgium.” See Greenpeace Press Release, January 27, 2010.
In a related development, the German food and agriculture industry has apparently called for “more comprehensive” GM labeling, characterizing the current system as “dishonest.” The head of the National Federation of the German Food Industry (BVE) purportedly told a German newspaper that the group favors positive labeling on products to identify any production method using genetic engineering. In addition, the German Farmers’ Association echoed these remarks at the International Green Week in Berlin, arguing that the current “GM free” label is “misleading” because it does not contain any provisions for the use of vitamins, enzymes or vaccines made with genetic engineering. According to one media report, however, “No changes can be expected in the near future,” as “the legislative process required would take several years.” See GMO-Compass.com, January 23, 2010.
