GM canola trials blocked by Upper House

 9 April 2009

The Upper House today supported the motion by Greens MLC for the South West Region, Paul Llewellyn to block GM canola trials in Western Australia.

“This will give the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman some breathing space to re-think his approach to GM crops trials,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“The arrangements that were proposed by the government simply did not offer an appropriate level of protection to the farmers involved in the trials, to non-GM farmers, or to consumers.

“GM growers were required to sign up to full responsibility and liability for the trials, even though the level of contamination risk is not properly understood. Meanwhile, there is no legal framework in place to ensure strict liability for damage to non-GM growers by the big companies that seek to profit from market domination in GM agriculture.

“These ill-conceived trials were in fact commercialisation by stealth.

“We will continue to work to ensure good and fair outcomes for the environment, consumers and growers.”

For more information contact Paul Llewellyn on 0428 317 182 or 9848 1555