| The following steps need to occur to progress the Australian GM debate further:
- Open debate with both sides evenly represented with an aim to find where the truth is in benefits, alternatives, risks and risk management on a case by case basis.
- Independent trials to assess information required to make an informed decision. eg. assessment for yield penalties associated with post emergent spraying of chemicals used for GM and non-GM chemical resistant varieties. Note: many farmers are being misled to believe that GM canola can be sown dry which is not true, assessment of dry sowing of GM and non-GM canola should also be included.
- States to include a strict liability regime (the GM company responsible for economic loss) in the exemption from moratorium legislation. On Federal release the signed GM-free guarantees were withdrawn and now farmers are guaranteeing our produce is GM-free and even "trials" could cause economic loss.
- Federal legislation to include strict liability regime and coordination with State governments to ensure GM varieties are not released at Federal level if States have assessed an economic risk.
- Coexistence management plans must be prepared including the fair management of Non-GM produce as the existing plans prepared by the Gene Technology Grains Committee have only assessed giving priority to the GM grower, have definitions that are illegal (Non-GM means No GM, not 1% acceptable contamination), have not been approved by farmers and based on the unfair principle that Non-GM growers are to keep contamination out rather than the GM grower to keep contamination contained.
- An accurate economic report be commissioned based on facts, not furphies.
Julie Newman |
