By Emily Bourke
The Federal Government says a new report on genetically modified (GM)
crops is proof the technology is safe and poses no risk to human health or
the environment.
Green groups are furious, saying they do not want the state
governments to stick with the existing ban on GM farming, but to extend the
moratorium by at least five years.

But farmers say Australian growers cannot afford to miss out on
opportunities enjoyed by GM farmers overseas.

But the Federal Government says the science is in and the latest
report on GM crops is proof that state bans on the technology should be
lifted immediately.

John Lush is a South Australian farmer and says the country is on the
backfoot.

"Right now I'm being left behind by farmers around the world, I mean
there are three million farmers around the world adopting GM crops and
benefiting hugely," he said.

Mr Lush is also a member of the Government's Biotechnology Advisory
Committee and he told ABC local radio in Sydney he is prepared to risk it
all.

"Any crops that we grow that are GM have got to go through the
Australian food safety standards and they're the most stringent in the
world, so I would say the foods from GM crops will be the safest in the
world," he said.

"I think there's a lot of fear mongering going on and I think the
world markets are accepting of these technologies now and I'm willing to bet
my livelihood on it."

Benefits 'at a cost'
But Bob Phelps from the Gene Ethics Network says the benefits will
come at huge cost.

"These gene manipulated crops are crops that will be sprayed more
often and at higher doses with synthetic chemicals, those chemicals will
leave residues in our food and in our environment, they will also lead to
greater weediness, which will be very expensive for land managers in
Australia," he said.

"It's not environmentally friendly, it poses hazards to public health
and it will also mean Australians will lose premiums in overseas markets for
GM-free canola."

Mr Phelps also says it is ludicrous to suggest that some farmers are
missing out and cannot compete with farmers overseas who are using the GM
technology.

"That's just wrong ... and it's a handful of self-interested
industrial farmers that are claiming this, family-farmers should hear that
over 80 per cent of all canola in the world is GM free," he said.

"The only producers of GM canola are Canada and the USA and it's their
influence through their corporations Bayer and Monsanto that are trying to
get us into their camp. They want to take away everybody's choice - not give
the choice to farmers that they claim."

Ben Fargher, from the National Farmers Federation (NFF), says his
organisation supports choice.

"We think that farmers should be able to utilise the technology if
they see fit. But that should not compromise other producers' ability to use
conventional production techniques or organic techniques if they see fit
also," he said.

"We also think that regulatory framework in this country enables us to
do that, it's a very strong and stringent one and we support choice and for
that reason we think state governments should lift the moratorium on GM
crops."

Aust 'missing out'
Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran says Australia cannot
afford to miss out on the benefits of GM crops.

If a recent survey is to be believed, 70 per cent of Australians
agree.

Craig Cormick is from Biotechnology Australia, which has tracked
public opinion on GM technology since 1999.

"We see people in our focus groups who are large organic consumers and
they say things like 'four to five years ago I wouldn't have been interested
in GM, I'm quite against it, but I'm thinking the state of the planet is in
such a dire state that we have to start looking at new solutions'," he said.

"The quote we heard over and over again was we need to find man-made
solutions to man-made problems.

"People [may not] understand how mobile phones works... but they know
what they get from it and it's the same with lots of gene technology, nano
technology and other new technologies.

"People are not fixated or hung up on the detail... but they're very
much want to know on what it might offer them."


[abc.net.au]