AN ONLINE map of commercial genetically modified (GM) canola production sites that lists a number of growers either producing, or thinking of growing, a GM crop, has created a storm of controversy.
Bob Phelps, director of anti-GM lobby group Gene Ethics which created the map, labeled it a "public service" and said it filled a void, given that the Victorian Government continued to refuse to set up the official register of GM sites Gene Ethics has lobbied for.
Mr Phelps stands by the decision to publish the map, which was compiled using news reports and "various other published and unpublished reports", saying that there had been strong support for a registry of GM canola production sites.
He said those that had been asking for a register of GM canola sites included GM-free growers, bee keepers, contract harvesters, organic growers, seed cleaners, local councils, the Municipal Association of Victoria, the Victorian Local Governance Association, and food processors.
Mr Phelps said a GM crop register was the natural progression from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) maps of field trials of GM crops, which are in the public domain.
Mr Phelps said other agribusinesses were affected by a farmer’s decision to plant GM crops and had the right to know.
"Rural industries and land managers are worried by GM seed falling on roadsides during transport and pollen carried five kilometres by wind and insects leading to market loss and more persistent Roundup herbicide tolerant weeds wild radish and turnip."
However, critics of the Gene Ethics map have said it is inaccurate and an invasion of privacy.
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) was scathing of the map.
President Simon Ramsay said the release of names and locations based on unconfirmed reports was a disgrace.
He said many of the farmers named as potential GM producers were not growing the crop, including Victorian Premier John Brumby, who has a property near Harcourt.
Mr Phelps cited a report from The Sunday Age in May where Mr Brumby said he would have no problems growing a GM crop on his own property as evidence.
Mr Brumby, however, has stated he does not produce canola on his farm.
Mr Ramsay said publishing the map was a gross invasion of privacy. "This is a disgraceful and unsubstantiated witch hunt and shows how few ethics, Gene Ethics really have," Mr Ramsay said.
However, Mr Phelps’ call for a GM registry has support in some quarters.
Australian Grain Harvesters Association (AGHA) treasurer Rod Gribble claimed the information needed to be made public. "Especially from the contracting side - we believe that there is a need for people to have the information," Mr Gribble said.
"Ideally, we believe the information should be between farmer and contractor, but the present regulations stipulate only that a farmer should let a contractor know they are harvesting a GM paddock, there is no obligation to do so.
"We need to know so we can take action to stop the spread of GM material - but one thing is for sure - we won’t be accepting liability for any contamination issues.
"We will be asking our customers to sign a waiver so we are indemnified - it’s a process we’ve used since the contamination issue first came up in 2002."
Mr Gribble, based at Yenda, near Griffith, NSW, said the fact was that some customers had a zero GM presence policy and that this was their right. "If you’ve bought a chocolate ice-cream, you don’t want to find that half of it is vanilla, do you? If farmers want to grow GM, that’s their choice, but we have to be aware of it so we can deal with the issue."
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