MRREC has been active in supporting Western Australia remaining GM free. Unfortunately the State Government is preparing to pass legislation this year to lift the moratorium on GM crops. Previously Parliament exempted the growing of genetically modified canola and cotton from the moratorium. Should it be lifted any GM crop could be grown.
This could prove disastrous for Western Australia as there is no protection for non GM farmers. Already there has been the case of organic farmer Steve Marsh who lost his organic certification when his property was contaminated with GM canola. Two appeals to the courts have found in favour of the GM canola grower because in WA there is no protection for the farmer whose land is contaminated by GM. Pro GM supporters have attempted to blame the organic farmer claiming organic standards are too high, i.e they should allow 0.9% contamination. However it has since come to light that Cooperative Bulk Handling are extremely strict with all non GM canola requiring no contamination whatsoever because they know that won’t be tolerated by overseas markets.
Recently Russia declared it has decided it will remain GM free in order to capture the non GM market and also to begin to supply the growing, lucrative market in organics. MRREC considers Western Australia is throwing away a golden opportunity by going down the GM route, a market advantage the Russians are smart enough to recognize.