Farmers are told that Australian GM canola crops will yield more when there is more than enough scientific evidence to show this is incorrect. We are told that there is no market problem when evidence shows a serious market rejection in a range of products and yet it is impossible to segregate to the zero tolerance demanded.

Farmers are not told that non-GM farmers are expected to market as GM. We are not told that the coexistence principles are based on definitions that are illegal. We are not told that non-GM farmers can be sued under the Trade Practices Act or the patent law for getting contaminated. We are not told that it is unlikely that farmers can get insurance to cover this.

We are misled to believe that all biotechnology is GM when it is likely that there is far more benefits to be offered with non-GM biotechnology. We do have far better options.

Non-GM farmers are simply saying we will not accept costs and liabilities for the introduction of a product we do not want. We will not accept contamination of our produce with a product that is rejected by consumers.

We expect the pro-GM industry to be accountable for containing their product and all associated costs and liabilities.

If the GM industry believed their own propaganda regarding risks and benefits, they would not be refusing to participate in independent performance trials and they would not be refusing to accept liability for the consequences of GM release.

Research by the Network of Concerned Farmers has found the push for GM canola commercialisation is basically a scam.

GM crops have been one of the biggest public relations disasters in history and the GM industry is to blame. Trust can not be demanded, it must be earnt through truth and transparency, not deception.

Julie Newman W.A.

National Spokesperson

Network of Concerned Farmers

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References:

Do we need GM crops? There is a big difference between GM and non-GM biotechnology and it appears we are being offered the worst of biotechnology in GM canola as there are far better options with non-GM. (see here)

Who will benefit if GM crops are introduced?  (see here)

Why is there consumer rejection? Scientific (see here) and general (see here)  

The impact of consumer rejection on the industry requires the need for segregation which will add unacceptable costs (see here)  and liabilities (see here) , for the non-GM grower. The inability to segregate to consumer demand (see here)   means that it will not be possible to market as non-GM and all conventional farmers are expected to market as GM. This will impact negatively on market demand (see here) and price (see here) and all farmers will suffer economic loss. (see here)  

Farmer concerns can be summarised (see here)  

Can concerns be managed? (see here)