In response to W.A. and Victorian ABC Country Hour report 16.1.09

Today the GRDC announced the results of the first independent trials of GM canola which revealed that GM canola yielded 17% lower than both Non-GM herbicide tolerant canola varieties. While it sent shock-waves amongst farmers expecting higher yields with GM crops, the Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF) expected this result.

"This is clear evidence that GM canola is not what it is promoted as," said Julie Newman, NCF National Spokesperson for the Network of Concerned Farmers. "We hope farmers will now realise that they have been misled to believe GM canola should yield more when there is no logical reason why it should."

The GRDC National Variety Trials showed Roundup Ready GM canola yielding 0.7t/ha while non-GM Triazine Tolerant and Cleafield canola yielded 0.8t/ha. The trials compared non-GM herbicide tolerant varieties with GM Roundup Ready canola which has a single genetically modified trait conferred to the plant allowing the plant to be sprayed with glyphosate between the 2 leaf to the 6 leaf stage.

"GM canola is only a limited weed control tool of a non-residual herbicide tolerant canola which is not as effective as what we already have. Interestingly, the GM farmers in NSW and Victoria have reported the key advantage as grass control which has nothing to do with the GM part because it is achieved by the recommended residual chemical Trifluralin when planting."

The 2008 costs involve a half price stewardship fee of $500/farm, a discounted $10.20/tonne EPR-style royalty and an extra $43.50/ha for seed.

"Even at these low yields, the GM fees for 500 ha would amount to an additional $25,820 which would require an additional yield increase of 15% to pay for itself. It looks like the farmer pays 15% more but gets 17% less which is a big loss of 32% of the value of the crop."

"Agronomically and economically, GM canola has been proven to be a flop."

Contact: Julie Newman Phone 08 98711562 or mobile 0427 711644

www.non-gm-farmers.com