2002, Volume 5, Paper 51-2
ISSN: 2209-6612

Genetic Modification-Free Zones: Comments

John Hamlin – Research Director, Export Grains Centre Ltd

Introduction

xport Grains Centre Ltd (EGC) aims to ensure that the farmers of Western Australia have a wide choice of world-class crop varieties. Therefore EGC has an interest in technical and commercial issues that affect the availability of new varieties to farmers.

The Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000 covers health and safety aspects of GM crops for people and the environment. However in its matching legislation the WA Government may reserve specific areas for growing GM or non-GM crops for marketing purposes (section 21 (1) aa). The WA Gene Technology Bill 2001 (p14-15) states:

” 21. The Ministerial Council may issue policy principles

The Ministerial Council may issue policy principles in relation to the following-

ethical issues relating to dealings with GMOs;

(aa) recognising areas, if any, designated under a law of Western Australia for the purpose of preserving the identity of one or both of the following-

• GM crops;
• Non-GM crops,
• for marketing purposes;
• matters relating to dealings with GMOs prescribed by the regulations for the purpose of this paragraph.

Before issuing a policy principle, the Ministerial Council must be satisfied that the policy principle was developed in accordance with section 22 of the Commonwealth Act.

Regulations for the purpose of subsection (1)(b) may related to matters other than the health and safety of people or the environment, but must not derogate from the health and safety of people or the environment.“

GM technology has the potential to improve community health, lower environmental risks, make agriculture more sustainable and lower farm costs (1, 9). Much of the debate on GM technology focuses on perceived lack of benefits set against community concerns on effects of GM crops on the health and safety of people and the environment. The current discussion in WA is over Roundup Ready (RR) Canola; i.e. canola varieties that tolerate the herbicide glyphosate. Liberty Link (LL) canola may also be released but Liberty is not a major herbicide of winter cropping in Australia, where as glyphosate is the predominant knockdown herbicide used in minimum tillage.

The Act quoted above makes it clear that on issues of health and safety of people and the environment the Commonwealth legislation takes precedence. However section 21 (1) aa provides the State with the power to declare where particular crop types (GM or non-GM) may or may not be grown for marketing purposes. The issue is whether it makes technical and commercial sense for the agricultural industry of WA.

This paper covers a broad based discussion of the general situation in the use and benefits of GM crops, followed by a specific consideration of the issues involved in deciding whether the declaration of GM / non-GM zones for Canola in WA is sensible and justifiable on technical or commercial grounds.

Download full document here