Australian farmers and the grain supply chain have called on state
governments to enable the commercialisation of GM canola in 2008, by acting
on global scientific evidence and market endorsement.
They need to do this by allowing existing moratoria to expire in 2008.

Jeff Bidstrup, National Convenor, Producers Forum, says, ?In the past
few weeks, we have seen GM opponents run scare campaigns to try and unduly
influence state government decision making processes.

?The reality is that all the questions have long-been answered and
Australian farmers are looking for this opportunity as soon as possible.

?The approved GM canola types we want in Australia have been produced,
traded and consumed around the world for over a decade.

?They were thoroughly examined by Australia?s regulatory authorities
in 2003 and proven to be just as safe to the environment and human health as
our conventional varieties.

"There is no question of safety.?

Managing director of GrainCorp, Tom Keene, says, ?The Australian grain
industry is driven by innovation, including the adoption of new varieties.

"We cannot afford to be denied this GM canola opportunity any longer.

?We recognise that some will choose not to embrace this opportunity,
but we have the processes and protocols in place to deliver choice and those
who wish to access GM canola must be allowed to do so.?

?All stakeholders - from seed producers to consumers ? can have a
choice and the grain supply chain is committed to delivering this.

?For those wanting to access GM canola it is time for the barriers to
go.?

But Australian food manufacturing giant, Goodman Fielder, has urged
state governments not to end their moratoria on commercial production of
genetically modified food crops.

The company?s chief executive officer, Peter Margin, said Goodman
Fielder, whose brands included Meadow Lea, White Wings, Mighty Soft, Helga
and Vogels, was finding increasing concern among consumers over uncertainty
surrounding the long term effects of consuming GM material.

?Therefore, wherever technically possible, the company is working to
eliminate raw materials that are genetically modified from our retail
branded products,? he said.

?Goodman Fielder is of the view that, in a world of ever-increasing
globalisation, Australia?s current status as a GM-free crop producer gives
the country an essential international competitive advantage that it would
be counter-productive to place in jeopardy.?
[nqr.farmonline.com.au]