2-Plants: Mixed reaction to West Australian ban on GM crops

[GENET <coordination@genet-info.org>]

                                  PART I
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TITLE:  Mixed reaction to WA ban on GM crops
SOURCE: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, by Jane Grieve
        http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/stories/s1071810.htm
DATE:   Mar 23, 2004

------------------- archive: http://www.genet-info.org/ -------------------


Mixed reaction to WA ban on GM crops

There's been a mixed reaction to the WA Government's decision to become
the first state to ban GM food crops.

Jane Grieve reports.

"WA Minister for Agriculture Kim Chance says he knew the decision to ban
GM crops in WA would receive a mixed response, but says government will
still be able to assess case-by-case applications for trials including GM
cotton and canola."

Kim Chance: "It makes the government of the day accountable for its
decisions; it can't say, 'well we are hampered by legislation.' It allows
governments to actually do the things that they believe need to be done,
taking account of the political, the market, the scientific and the
agronomic climate of the day."

"But Leon Bradley from the Pastoralists and Grazier's Association says he
can't believe such a bad decision has been made, claiming WA will fall
behind as a result of banning GM crops."

Leon Bradley: "It's a stake through the heart of WA farming's most
important capacity, and that is to be productive.

"It's our only avenue in remaining prosperous in a world market where
grain is bought on price."

Meanwhile biotechnology developer Monsanto Australia doesn't believe the
eastern states will follow WA's move to ban genetically modified crops.

Communications Manager Mark Buckingham , says while the decision to ban
crops in the West is puzzling, it will have little impact on the company.

"We have a detailed proposal, which we have developed with the grains
industry and with the oil seeds industry for farm based trials, co-
existence trials in New South Wales and that's under consideration by the
NSW Government and their Advisory Council.

"So I don't think this affects our plans over here in the east this year."

But Tasmania has announced it's also considering a permanent GM ban.

Tasmania was the first state to introduce a moratorium on genetically
modified crops, which runs until 2008.

In two weeks the Government is planning to introduce much tighter
legislation to State Parliament, which would come into affect later this year.

Primary Industry Minister, Steve Kons , says although the proposed
legislation will be more stringent, it does provide the opportunity for
future research trials of GM poppies.

"The ban is done on marketing purposes to protect our marketing image.

"There will be areas, according to the Departmental Secretary that may be
available for trials but not for growing GM crops, and the legislation
also deals with animals as well."

Elsewhere, the South Australian Parliament will debate plans for a three
year pause on GM crops this week, and Victoria is expected to make a
decision on its moratorium within the next month.


-------------------------------- GENET-news -------------------------------

TITLE:  Monsanto doubts GM ban will spread
SOURCE: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
        http://www.abc.net.au/wa/news/200403/s1072109.htm
DATE:   Mar 23, 2004

------------------- archive: http://www.genet-info.org/ -------------------


Monsanto doubts GM ban will spread

Biotechnology company Monsanto Australia does not believe the eastern
states will follow Western Australia's lead and ban genetically modified
(GM) crops. The Western Australian Government announced yesterday that it
would ban GM crops and Tasmania has indicated it will follow suit.
Monsanto communications manager Mark Buckingham says while Western
Australia's decision to ban crops is puzzling, it will have little impact
on the company. "We have a detailed proposal which we have developed with
the grains industry and with the oil seeds industry for farm-based
trials, co-existence trials in New South Wales," he said. "That's under
consideration by the New South Wales Government and their advisory
council. "I don't think this affects our plans over here in the east this
year."




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