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Yet another GM disallowance motion bit the dust in the state Parliament when a motion moved by the Greens and supported by Labor was defeated in the Legislative Council on 18 May 2010.
I am disappointed that valuable parliamentary time was still being taken debating an issue which has already been dealt with at length on numerous occasions in the Upper House.
My family grows canola commercially and in my view GM is a far cleaner technology because it does not put so many chemicals into the environment.
I am disappointed that valuable parliamentary time was still being taken debating an issue which has already been dealt with at length on numerous occasions in the Upper House.
My family grows canola commercially and in my view GM is a far cleaner technology because it does not put so many chemicals into the environment.
Another GM Disallowance Bites the Dust
I believe that one of the reasons so many “GM myths” have been perpetuated in WA is that the Western Australian Department of Agriculture had no Fact Sheets available on its website during the term of the previous government.
I urge anyone with an open mind to do some myth-busting by going the Department’s website for Fact Sheets such as Misconceptions about GM Technology which clarifies issues like cross-pollination, gene transfer, and accidental contamination.
People who are keen to separate fact from fiction can check out a website called “Academics Review” which scientifically reviews the top 20 urban myths about GM crops made by author Jeffrey “Smith in his book “Genetic Roulette”.
Nevertheless, I support the rigorous conditions placed on farmers before they are permitted to grow GM canola.
They must attend a Roundup Ready canola accreditation course; sign a licence and stewardship agreement which outlines the stewardship and commercial obligations; and review and complete a technology user agreement, including paddock risk assessment and management option guide scores, which capture specific planting details and resistance management strategies in the paddock.
Other grower licensing requirements include informing neighbours of plans to grow Roundup Ready GM canola, including buffer requirements; maintaining a minimum separation between GM and non-GM crops; declaring the GM status of seed, hay, straw or other material in all transactions; and keeping adequate paddock records.
Growers must also collect the GM seed from the seller and store it on the farm in the original packaging and separate from other canola seed; sow the seed using clean equipment; and observe buffer zone requirements.
They must also keep their empty seed bag labels; monitor crop growth stages and weed populations; apply glyphosate at required stages of crop growth; inspect crops for herbicide efficacy with a seed seller; and apply required plant and equipment hygiene at harvest.
GM growers are required to deliver to an appropriate receival site; declare the delivered canola as GM; not retain GM canola grain on the farm; destroy all GM volunteer plants that germinate on the farm; and clean down grain spillage and storage areas.
I hope the latest GM disallowance motion will be the last, and that canola growers in WA can get on with making an informed commercial choice about whether or not to grow genetically modified crops.
I urge anyone with an open mind to do some myth-busting by going the Department’s website for Fact Sheets such as Misconceptions about GM Technology which clarifies issues like cross-pollination, gene transfer, and accidental contamination.
People who are keen to separate fact from fiction can check out a website called “Academics Review” which scientifically reviews the top 20 urban myths about GM crops made by author Jeffrey “Smith in his book “Genetic Roulette”.
Nevertheless, I support the rigorous conditions placed on farmers before they are permitted to grow GM canola.
They must attend a Roundup Ready canola accreditation course; sign a licence and stewardship agreement which outlines the stewardship and commercial obligations; and review and complete a technology user agreement, including paddock risk assessment and management option guide scores, which capture specific planting details and resistance management strategies in the paddock.
Other grower licensing requirements include informing neighbours of plans to grow Roundup Ready GM canola, including buffer requirements; maintaining a minimum separation between GM and non-GM crops; declaring the GM status of seed, hay, straw or other material in all transactions; and keeping adequate paddock records.
Growers must also collect the GM seed from the seller and store it on the farm in the original packaging and separate from other canola seed; sow the seed using clean equipment; and observe buffer zone requirements.
They must also keep their empty seed bag labels; monitor crop growth stages and weed populations; apply glyphosate at required stages of crop growth; inspect crops for herbicide efficacy with a seed seller; and apply required plant and equipment hygiene at harvest.
GM growers are required to deliver to an appropriate receival site; declare the delivered canola as GM; not retain GM canola grain on the farm; destroy all GM volunteer plants that germinate on the farm; and clean down grain spillage and storage areas.
I hope the latest GM disallowance motion will be the last, and that canola growers in WA can get on with making an informed commercial choice about whether or not to grow genetically modified crops.
Copyright Brian Ellis MLC © 2009 - 2011
Electorate Office: Unit 1, Druids Hall, Corner Durlacher and Sanford Streets, Geraldton, WA 6530. PO Box 231, Geraldton, WA 6531
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
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