GM Crops: Scientists vote for GM cotton
The West Australian
16th May 2007
Here’s the excerpt from an article published in The West Australian on GM crops…
Genetically modified cotton would deliver a range of environmental and economic benefits to farmers in WA’s Ord River region, according to a new report co-written by the Department of Agriculture.
The report collates a decade of research and will add to growing pressure on the State Government to accept GM cotton rather than maintain its ban until a review of its policy next year.
Its release comes as Australia’s chief scientist, Jim Peacock, unleashed a stinging attack on opponents of genetic modification, describing them as “unprincipled minorities” which were spreading false facts and hype.
The NORpak report, due to be launched tomorrow, provides a technical guide to cotton production in WA’s north, and is largely the work of the Cotton Catchment Communities CRC, with significant input from the Department of Agriculture and Food and the CSIRO.
CRC chief executive Guy Roth said GM cotton varieties which were less reliant on conventional insecticides and herbicides had opened a window of opportunity previously denied to northern Australia….
Full article at The West Australian.
