www.checkbiotech.org ; www.czu.cz ; www.raupp.info

The Shire of Yarra Ranges has raised concerns over its power after a genetic
modified rose trial in Silvan was approved despite it opposition to genetic
modification in the shire, May 2006 by Tania Martin.

However, nearby rose growers have questioned what all the fuss is about.

Despite the council?s 2001 policy that opposed the introduction of
genetically modified crops in the shire, the Gene Technology Regulator will
allow Japanese multinational company Florigene Suntori to grow a blue rose
at Australian Roses in Silvan by using genetic modification methods.

The council last week agreed to write to the Gene Technology Act Review
Panel raising its concerns over the council?s lack of power within the Gene
Technology Act.

Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn said the council represented public
concerns.

?We need to question the strength of the local authority (the council?s) as
we are the ones who provide the real voice for our community,? she said.

Last month Cr Dunn said the council was concerned over the environmental
impact that the rose trial could have in the shire.

She said that she was also disappointed that council?s standing on the issue
had been disregarded with the approval of the trial.

?Not enough is known about the potential effects of genetically modified
roses on insect life including native and exotic pollinating insects, its
potential for recombinant viruses and the level of gene flow with other rose
cultivators and potential weediness from altered genes,? Cr Dunn said.

Despite the council?s concerns over the blue rose trial, local rose growers
have showed their support for the trial.

Newstead Rose Nursery owner Karen Nieuwestegg said although she didn?t know
much about the trial, she said it sounded similar to hybridization of roses
which has been going on for hundreds of years.

She said if this trial could produce a blue rose it would be ?fantastic? and
that it would also be good for the rose industry in the hills.

?If we (Australian rose industry) can produce and sell the first blue rose
to the world, it would be quite incredible,? she said.

Ms Nieuwestegg said finding the perfect blue rose had been a desire of rose
growers for centuries.

Cathy Roberts from Ladybird Roses has also questioned why the council was
opposed to the trial.

Ms Roberts said hybrid tea roses are already a genetically modified plant
due to selective hybridization between species of roses from all parts of
the northern hemisphere.

Talking about the council?s concerns for cross-species contamination, Ms
Roberts said that genes from roses have never before crossed to any other
plant species.

Ms Roberts said there was no floriculture threat to the shire as the trial
of the blue rose is in a controlled environment with the flowers being
removed before setting seed.

?We have no community outrage at all.

?We have had great interest with the general public wanting to know where
they would be able to get hold of the world?s first blue rose,? she said.

[www.starnewsgroup.com.au]

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