By Jodie Thomson

The State?s major farm groups have seized on a new report ? which argues
genetically modified crops can help farmers better adapt to climate change ?
to call for a lifting of the ban on GM food crops.

A report by the Federal Government?s Bureau of Rural Sciences found GM
technology could allow crops to be grown with less water and to become more
tolerant to heat.

The controversial technology could also help cut greenhouse gas emissions by
improving resistance to insects and herbicides and so reduce the number of
times crops must be sprayed, which lowers fuel use.

?The adoption of GM insectresistant cotton has proved very effective in
controlling insect pests,? bureau executive director Karen Schneider said.

?This technology will become increasingly important when addressing altered
pest distributions expected under climate change.?

WAFarmers chief executive officer Andy McMillan said he hoped the report
would be a further incentive for the State Government to pave the way for GM
canola trials next season and for the State?s moratorium on modified crops
to be lifted.

Mr McMillan said the report?s release was timely given the need for farmers
to be better prepared for future inclusion in an emissions trading scheme.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association grains committee chairman Leon Bradley
said the report reaffirmed the need to remove WA?s ban on GM crops.

Despite the two key farm groups pushing for GM food crop production, many
farmers and groups such as the Network of Concerned Farmers remained opposed
to the technology, particularly over fears that the introduction could
threaten overseas markets.

The State Government last month announced commercial GM cotton production
would be permitted in the Ord region under a special exemption from the ban.

?This report injects some credible information into the debate around GM
crops,? State Agriculture Minister Terry Redman said yesterday.

?West Australian farmers are keen to do their bit to lower their impact on
the environment and GM crops may well assist with this.?
www.checkbiotech.org