The State Government said before the election that it would extend a moratorium on growing genetically-modified crops until 2014 and the decision stands. In 2008, the current Labor government pledged to maintain the ban on GM canola in South Australia because there was no convincing argument that allowing them would benefit the State. Labor firmly believes that the benefits of maintaining the current moratorium far outweigh any benefits from overturning it.

The CSIRO hopes to plant its first trials of genetically modified barley in Western Australia within weeks. The scientific organisation planted trial sites of GM wheat and barley in NSW last year and has applied to the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator for permission to extend those trials into the west this year. Three varieties of GM barley and 11 of GM wheat will be grown on a small one-hectare trial plot on a private farm in the state’s wheatbelt.

SOUTH Australian croppers will have to wait another four years to gain access to genetically-modified seed, as both major political parties agree to extend the moratorium until 2014. The commitments come as the West Australian Government lifted their moratorium in January, in line with the rest of the states, except SA and Tasmania.

A FARMING family from Mukinbudin said the majority of farmers are against the introduction of genetically modified (GM) technology in WA, despite its legalisation last month. State Minister for Agriculture Terry Redman lifted the ban on growing GM canola in February to allow it to be commercially grown this year. The Labor party put forward a motion in parliament last Thursday to reverse the decision, but it was overthrown.

The first harvest of genetically modified bananas planted in Australia, in the South Johnstone area south of Cairns, has been picked. The bananas are part of a project by Queensland University of Technology to improve the nutritional content of bananas, as a way of combating malnutrition in Africa, particularly in Uganda, where bananas are a staple food and very low in nutrients.

Western Australian farmers will now be able to plant genetically modified canola crops, after a disallowance motion by the Western Australian Labor Opposition failed last week. The hotly-debated motion was opposed by WA Labor and Greens, and attended by protesters and lobby groups from both sides. Two Liberal Members, South Perth MLA John McGrath and Southern River MLA Peter Abetz, threatened to cross the floor after pressure from their electorates over health and safety concerns. Mr Abetz identified his number one issue: ”Is it safe?”

The West Australian State Opposition Agriculture Spokesman, Mick Murray, is calling on the State Government to introduce labelling on products containing genetically modified food. [...] Mr Murray says now that the Government has lifted the ban on GM canola crops, consumers should also have a choice.

FARMERS and grains industry members have attended a critical sitting of WA Parliament, to support Agriculture Minister Terry Redman, and witness a fiery debate over a disallowance motion proposed in the Legislative Assembly, designed to prevent the growing of Genetically Modified canola in the State this year. The disallowance motion was proposed by Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray. But after a day of political jostling and a three hour debate in the Lower House between 4pm and 7pm, the motion was eventually dismissed 26 to 24.

JOSEPH Stalin is credited with saying: ”It’s not important how people vote; it’s how you count the votes that matters”. That thought came to mind after getting two takes on a report on the state of GM cropping worldwide in 2009, compiled by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Crops.

VICTORIA saw a five-fold increase in the area sown to genetically modified canola last year and plantings are expected to accelerate. Monsanto Australia’s Peter O’Keeffe told the Rural Press Club of Victoria last week 62 growers planted 5000ha in the state in 2008, but this ballooned to 200 growers and 27,000ha last year. ”I am confident the trend will accelerate,” Mr O’Keeffe said.