More See Sense in Going GM
Truth About Trade & Development
January 16,2006
Let us hope that the new year brings with it a refreshing change in the quality of the debate on the introduction of GM crops.
Recently, the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications reported that, globally, GM crop
area grew 11 per cent in 2005.
The report shows Spain, France, Germany and the Czech Republic growing increasing areas of biotech crops.
They are among 21 countries in the world growing 90 million hectares last year. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Rural Economics shows Australia importing 450.000 tonnes of soy meal a year (from GM countries) to complement our meagre non-GM crop of about 50,000 tonnes.
We recently imported 55.000 tonnes of GM canola from Canada. and expect more to be imported. But we are not allowed
to grow GM grain or oilseed crops here.
ABARE's report last month GM Grains in Australia Report states that identity preservation is already widely carried out in the grains industry.
This clearly says segregation is already working well in Australia and there will be no price reduction for GM canola
or non-GM canola.
We must move ahead and be allowed the choice to join our global competitors and farming counterparts.
