Monday, October 6, 2008

David Stockman

Potential risks from the research including cross-pollination with non-GM crops and an increase in allergy or toxins in people have been assessed as negligible.

The Office of the Gene Technology Regulator has called for public comment on the proposal, which would see 11 lines of corn grown on an area of up to 750sqm at an unnamed research facility in Canberra.

If it goes ahead, the plan could result in genetically modified corn being grown in Canberra for five years.

In its application, the CSIRO has given an undertaking that none of the corn would be used in human food, animal feed or the manufacturing of corn products.

A spokeswoman for the Network of Concerned Farmers, Juliet McFarlane, said more information needed to be provided about the proposed research.

But she said there would be limited impact on maize growers, with little maize industry in and around the ACT.

``Most of southern NSW has winter rainfall and is not suitable, it`s not a market that would affect growers in the region,`` Ms McFarlane said.

She said generally research in GM foods lacked transparency, and did not focus enough on the concerns and needs of farmers.

``Rather than saying to farmers, `What do you want? What do you need in breeding and what traits do you want? they`re saying, `Here are the traits you`ll have,``` she said.

The move has met with caution by the NSW Farmers Association. President Jock Laurie said further details on the trial were needed to judge what impact they were likely to have.

``Obviously the industry needs to be aware of this and have comfort that it is going to protect growers,`` Mr Laurie said.

Candidate for the ACT election Frank Pangallo said his party opposed the trial.

Written submissions on the proposal are being received by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator until November 10.


© 2008 Fairfax Media