| The Network of Concerned Farmers oppose the proposed Stewardship Program as it denies coexistence and market access for the GM-free grower. These plans only address the GM supply chain and imposes unfair costs and liabilities on those farmers wishing to avoid market rejection.
Note the specific motions passed, these plans have not been approved by Industry and they have not addressed the problems of coexistence.
Stewardship Program for Canola (DAFF reference here)
The Department and AVCARE jointly funded an early investigation of an industry initiative to develop a stewardship program for canola. Extensive consultation with grain industry sectors to develop a code of practice for the canola industry was undertaken in late 2001 and early 2002 that resulted in a ‘work in progress’ document being prepared. The development of this ‘work in progress’ document highlighted a number of important issues that needed to be addressed (such as farmer saved seed) before moving forward to finalise a set of guidance documents.
The Gene Technology Grains Committee (GTGC) a grain supply chain industry working group prepared a discussion paper on a strategic framework for co-existence in the canola industry that was released to the public on 1 August 2002 for comment by the end of September 2002. The final strategic framework for maintaining coexistence of supply chains was released in December 2002.
The Canola Industry Stewardship Principles (CISP) underwent extensive consultation.
Following the incorporation of comments, the Eastern and Western zones of the GTGC adopted a number of resolutions in relation to the CISP in October 2003.
On 6 October 2003, the following resolutions were adopted by the Western Zone of the GTGC:
1. That the GTGC acknowledge the CISP for Coexistence of Production Systems and Supply Chains form a basis for the continued development for a dynamic process towards the management of coexistence.
Note: This is an acknowledgement that phase one is complete in as much as the public consultation process of the CISP has concluded and outstanding issues have been referred to the Canola Reference Group for future management.
2. That the GTGC support the formation of an Australian Oilseeds Federation sponsored expertise based Canola Reference Group which will assume responsibility for the ongoing development of the CISP and monitoring and reporting of the implementation of the CISP to all stakeholders.
The following resolutions were adopted by the Eastern Zone of the GTGC in relation to the CISP on 10 October 2003:
1. That the GTGC acknowledge the Canola Industry Stewardship Principles for Co-existence of Production Systems and supply chains form a basis for management of coexistence.
Note: This is an acknowledgement that phase one is complete in as much as the public consultation process on the Stewardship Principles has concluded and outstanding issues have been referred to the Canola Reference Group for future management
2. That the GTGC support the formation of an Australian Oilseeds Federation sponsored expertise based Canola Reference Group. The Canola Reference Group will make recommendations to the Gene Technology Grains Committee regarding the ongoing development of the Canola Industry Stewardship Principles and assume responsibility for the communication, monitoring and reporting of the implementation of the Canola Industry Stewardship Principles.
Source: Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) |
