The Producers Forum, representing farmers keen to embrace proven technology, has welcomed the release of the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS) landmark report today on the role of GM crops in Australia.
The report confirms the value of GM cotton and canola in Australian broadacre farming systems. (See separate story).
Producers Forum WA Convenor, John Snooke, says it is a valuable contribution to the building body of evidence on the benefits that GM crops offer Western Australia.
“It clearly states that reduced application and expenditure on insecticides has increased the profitability and ease of growing cotton and improved community perception of the industry,” he says
“On GM canola, the report notes that these GM varieties (being grown for the first time this year in some states) potentially offer Australian farmers increased yield and a greater choice of weed control options, including more environmentally friendly herbicides.”
“The BRS report indicates that future developments in GM insect-resistant and herbicide-tolerant crops are likely to provide extensive agronomic and environmental benefits to Australian agriculture, helping farmers increase productivity and sustainability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through lower fuel usage.”
“Farmers in New South Wales and Victoria are currently harvesting their GM canola.
"During my recent trip east, I managed to see some of these crops first hand.
“I only hope that we in WA will be given the opportunity to embrace these new, improved varieties which deliver clear environmental outcomes.”
“We have just seen the new WA government lift the restriction on GM cotton.
"The next logical, scientifically-supported step is to enable the adoption of GM canola in WA next season.
"We encourage the Minister’s work to this end and offer him our support.”
“In each of the last seven years we have consumed more grain in the world than we have grown.
"We must face the fact we need a new technology to reverse the trend,” he says.
* Further information:
John Snooke - 0417 964 362;
Jeff Bidstrup - 0427 063 270;
Maree McKay – 0428 259 345;
Heather Baldock – 0428 101 416;
Chris Kelly – 0409 508 122
* The BRS Report ‘Genetically modified crops: tools for insect pest and weed control in cotton and canola’ is available at: www.brs.gov.au.