The state government has today lifted a ban on genetically modified canola, bringing Western Australia in line with other states, following successful commercial trials last year.
The state government has today lifted a ban on genetically modified canola, bringing Western Australia in line with other states, following successful commercial trials last year.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the ban lift now offered growers added choice in their cropping systems.
He added that the commercial trials demonstrated successful cultivation and segregation of GM canola.
"The 17 commercial growers of GM canola throughout the agricultural areas were impressed with the performance of the GM technology package when compared with other varieties of canola," he said.
More than 1,200 tonnes of GM canola were delivered to designated CBH Group receival sites during the trial.
The report on the trials indicated there were 11 minor events and all were managed appropriately and segregation from paddock to port was achieved.
Mr Redman said GM canola yields were comparable to non-GM varieties. Growers reported the GM technology allowed efficient weed control and ease of management including the option to dry seed.
"I do not expect GM canola to be suitable for all farming systems but it provides an additional tool for WA growers. Growers continue to have the choice of growing non-GM varieties," the Minister said.
"Western Australia is the major canola producing State in Australia and in 2008-09 we exported $535million worth of canola - most of it to our top five markets Netherlands, France, Pakistan, Japan and Belgium.
"Access to modern technology is important for WA agriculture to help growers improve profitability and maintain international competitiveness."
Premier Colin Barnett said giving farmers access to GM canola fulfilled a key election promise to allow planting of GM cotton in the Ord Irrigation Scheme and the approval of commercial-size trials of canola.
"This decision brings WA in line with the other major grain-growing States, New South Wales and Victoria, where growers have been able to grow GM canola commercially since 2008," Mr Barnett said.
"WA farmers are some of the best in the world, but they need to have access to new technology like GM canola to remain competitive in the global marketplace."
The Western Australia Farmers Federation today welcomed the news.
"WAFarmers has consistently lobbied State Government over several years for access to GM canola plantings, so it is pleasing to see the Government deliver on this election promise," WAFarmers director of policy Alan Hill said.
Opposition agriculture spokesperson Minister Mick Murray said the decision would have negative long-term economic and social impacts on WA that could not be reversed.
"WA's green, GM-free image has been lost forever," Mr Murray said.
"This is an ill-conceived, reckless and unjustified decision made by a government which has given no thought to the consequences," he said in a statement.
"The effects of this decision will be felt for generations to come."
Mr Murray said almost 90 per cent of submissions made to a review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 had opposed the introduction of GM crops.
More than half the shires in Mr Redman's electorate had declared themselves GM crop free, he said.
