WATTLE Range and Grant District Councils have lodged their opposition to commercially grown of genetically modified (GM) canola in the South East.
The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has received a licence application from Bayer CropScience for the commercial release of GM canola that contains genes conferring tolerance to some herbicides, a hybrid breeding system and an antibiotic resistance genes.
Bayer is seeking approval to release the GM canola in all commercial canola growing areas of Australia, and as part of the licence application process, the regulator has sought comment from councils.
Currently, the commercial cultivation of canola licensed by the Regulator is permitted in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Queensland, but prohibited in South Australia and Tasmania.
Despite its close proximity to the Victoria border, where GM canola cultivation is allowed, Grant District Council has objected to the release of GM canola in its area.
“Council’s policy in the past has been to support the trailing of GM crops, but not the commercial production,” Council’s chief executive officer Russell Peate said.
“Council’s stance is that there is insufficient research into the potential effects on the environment, commercial threats to markets and segregation of GM crops.”
Wattle Range Council has also reinforced its support for the State Government’s moratorium on the commercial release of GM crops in South Australia.
“Caution needs to be shown before the commercial release of GM crops is allowed in South Australia so the potential impacts of GM crops on human health and safety and the right of non-GM farmers to farm without impediment as a result GM crops being grown on adjoining properties, is assessed,” Mayor Peter Gandolfi said.
However, Mingbool farmer Tony Beck, who trials GM canola for Bayer CropScience, said the science had been proven and growers were tired of waiting.
“They just need to get over it and allow people to grow the crops they want to grow,” he said.
Mr Beck criticised both councils for failing to widely consult farmers in the region on the issue.
“It’s not possible for these people to understand the issues involved anyway,” he said.
“They need to talk to Bayer before passing any resolutions like this to get some feeling of how important this is for the South East.”
Mr Beck said it would benefit the region if the commercial ban on GM crops was lifted.
“Bayer has been investing heavily here for a while,” he said.
“A whole range of industries will benefit from Bayer’s presence, fertiliser, irrigation suppliers, everyone and it will have a flow-on effect.”
Copyright © 2011 The Border Watch.
