Australia’s Organics Federation says the country needs realistic laws if it’s to stop contamination between genetically modified and organic crops. [...] the WA Minister for Agriculture suggested the organic industry ”bend its rules” to allow for some level of GMO contamination. [...] The Organics Federation says that shows a lack of understanding of consumers.

Biotechnology multinational Monsanto says it will give legal support to a grower of Genetically Modified canola if his neighbour takes legal action over contamination of his organic crops. Kojonup farmer Steve Marsh has temporarily lost the right to declare his crops organically certified after 60 per cent of his land tested positive for GM canola.

Kojonup farm owner Steve Marsh confirmed to AAP on Monday that his yields may have been compromised with GM canola and a notice was sent to him by the WA government. As result, the WA government was forced to revoke Marsh’s organic certification [...] WA Agriculture Minister Terry Redman has advised Marsh to bring his case before NASAA, suggesting that the association’s zero tolerance for GM contaminants could be adjusted in light of the European Union’s recent decision to implement 0.9 percent threshold for non-deliberate GM contamination of organic crops.

A West Australian organic farmer is considering taking legal action over alleged contamination of his pastures, rye and wheat crops with genetically modified canola. [...] And if his claim is proved correct, it will make a mockery of the industry-endorsed five-metre buffer between GM and non-GM canola crops. [...] A Monsanto spokeswoman said the company was awaiting more details before commenting.

AGRICULTURE Minister Terry Redman has broken his promise that there would be no contamination of non-genetically modified crops by nearby GM farms, Shadow Minister for Agriculture Mick Murray said on Monday. [...] ”The financial impacts of the contamination could be devastating and it is only a matter of time before more non-GM crop farmers will be forced to pay for the Barnett Government’s reckless stance on GM crops. [...] Nannup organic farmer Bee Winfield agreed. [...] ”We warned Redman a buffer zone of five metres was a joke.”

Genetically modified canola is being blamed for the loss of one farmer's entire crop. A western Victoria farmer says he'll lose his GM canola harvest, because the seed in the pod has started to grow. The seed company denies it's because of GM, saying the problem is unlucky growing conditions. It's the first time farmer Quintin Willmott grew genetically modified canola, and it will also be his last.

Agrifood Awareness executive director, Paula Fitzgerald, said the new brochure, “GM wheat: fact not fiction – a seven to 10-year program of consultation and collaboration”, detailed why Australia was undertaking research into GM wheat. Ms Fitzgerald said the brochure also pointed out who was doing the work, and which actions would be undertaken in the next seven to 10 years to ensure a smooth path to market for GM wheat.

The farmer says he found a seed pod of GM canola on his certified organic farm. A Great Southern farmer is anxiously awaiting the result of tests to determine if his organic farm has been contaminated by a neighbouring GM canola crop. Kojonup grower Steve Marsh alerted authorities last week after he found seed pods from genetically modified canola in his organically certified paddocks.

A PROPOSED ban on genetically modified food for local government functions and meals on wheels has divided inner-city councils. Yarra councillor Sam Gaylard said allowing GM foods in council programs ignored community concerns and has vowed to push for a ban in the new year. [...] But Cr Steve Jolly’s proposed GM ban was narrowly voted down at Yarra’s last meeting.

This year's trial of genetically modified cotton in Western Australia's Ord Valley has been described as a 'bumper', with yields averaging over 12 bales a hectare. ad a commercial cotton crop since 1974, the start-up costs and potential lack of scale continue to make the crop unattractive to growers, particularly given the ongoing interest to grow rice.