THE pro-genetically modified organism (GMO) lobby has found an
unlikely opponent in its bid to have the States' moratoria on genetically
modified (GM) food crops lifted. A delegation of Japanese consumers visited
Australia as part of a publicity campaign designed to keep the various bans
in place.
The No! GMO Campaign, an alliance of Japanese consumer and farmer
groups representing 2.9 million Japanese consumers, have met with State
Government officials in South Australia, Victoria and NSW.



The group was also in WA this week and met with State Agriculture
Minister, Kim Chance, to put forward its concerns about the quality of food
imported into Japan.



The group used the opportunity to express fears about GM food
products, and presented Mr Chance with a petition signed by 155 Japanese
organisations that represented the 2.9m Japanese consumers.



Campaign spokesman, Ryoko Shimizu, said the group's major concern was
with food safety.



"We Japanese consumers are now standing at a critical crossroads in
assuring our food safety," Mr Shimizu said.



"Australia is the only country that can supply GM-free canola to
food-importing countries like Japan. If the moratoria are lifted it would
damage the reputation of Australian crops in Japan and Japanese consumers
would stop buying Australian crops."



Mr Chance hinted that the Japanese petition could yield influence on
WA's moratorium review.



"We need to maintain the confidence of our consumers, and particularly
those in Japan," he said.



"We will review the moratorium in WA and we will review it along
proper guidelines, including both the science of the question and the
position that our consumers take, here in Australia and internationally.



"But among those consumers this very strong statement by Japanese
consumers certainly helps us in our decision making."


[nqr.farmonline.com.au]