| In order to maintain a GM-free or non-GM status, farmers must plant uncontaminated seed.
The legal definition of labelling a product GM-free is it must contain No GM.
However, the Seed Industry Association has an allowable tolerance of 0.5% contamination and subsequent labels on certified non-GM seed will not indicate the exact level of contamination that will be present.
Calculation:
Normally seed is sown at 5-6kg/ha
There is 300,000 canola seeds/kg
Total seeds sown
@5kg/ha equates to 1,500,000 seeds/ha
@6kg/ha equates to 1,800,000 seeds/ha
The Seed Industry Association allows 0.5%
Therefore between 7,500-9,000 seeds/ha could be genetically modified when planted.
It will be impossible for a farmer to produce uncontaminated seed if contaminated seed is planted.
References.
Seed Industry Association www.sia.asn.au/
extracts from Code of Practice for Seed Labelling and Marketing (full version)
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Note: The seed industry association has recently changed to:
Australian Seed Federation
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