Government dodges issue of GM contamination

Submitted by Louise Sales on Fri, 25/11/2011 - 17:27

Hon Lynn MacLaren MLC, The Greens spokesperson on GMOs has accused the Government of trying to deflect attention away from the liability concerns associated with genetically modified (GM) crops by ‘shooting the messenger’. Brian Ellis, the Secretary to the Parliamentary Liberal Party, used Parliamentary question time yesterday to attempt to undermine Ms MacLaren’s account of the recent GM contamination incident near Cunderdin.

“50 hectares of GM canola were sown, with an agronomist estimating the yield to be around 2 tonnes per hectare – so 100 tonnes is a reasonable estimate of how much was spilt,” said Ms MacLaren.

“CBH requires growers to sign declarations saying that none of the grain in a delivery is a Genetically Modified Organism so any level of contamination is serious concern for growers.”

“The Government is merely trying to deflect attention away from the important issue of who is liable for GM contamination.”

“Under the current legislation the only way a farmer can recoup losses due to GM contamination is by suing his neighbour. This pits farmer against farmer and will destroy our rural communities.”

“Ninety-five per cent of WA’s canola went to Europe last year – a market with no tolerance for GM canola. Minister Redman is risking our markets and our farmers’ livelihoods by introducing GM canola with no safeguards in place.”

“Farmer protection legislation is urgently needed to protect non-GM farmers from economic losses if GM contamination does occur.”