THE FIERY rhetoric has died down to an extent, but the use of genetically modified (GM) food crops remains important to many growers.
This was in evidence in WAFarmers making a strong push ahead of the Western Australian State election to make the repeal of that State’s GM Free Areas Bill of 2003 a priority before the election.
Although Western Australian growers have been able to grow GM canola for some years, it is under an exemption to the Bill rather than a free practice as is the case in Victoria and New South Wales where GM canola is also grown.
WAFarmers are anxious for the repeal Bill to pass before the March 11 election to cut down on uncertainty surrounding the use of GM canola next year.
If the Government enters caretaker mode before the repeal goes through, a final decision will not be made until well after farmers have to make their rotational choices for the 2017 crop.
GM canola is most popular in WA, which produced 77pc of the country’s GM canola last year.
It accounts for 30pc of total WA plantings a figure much higher in percentage terms than on the east coast where it makes up 16pc of plantings in Victoria and 11pc of the NSW canola crop.
The repeal Bill passed through the WA Legislative Council in late June, but has not progressed further since then.
WAFarmers grains section president Duncan Young said the uncertainty around the future of GM in Western Australia meant that planning for the 2017 season could be difficult.
“We implore Premier Barnett to acknowledge that this is a time critical issue and to make it a priority before caretaker mode begins so that appropriate actions can be taken to produce the best possible crop.”
Mr Young said WAFarmers wanted choice for growers regarding their crop rotations.
“Should the legislation pass, the choice would lie with farmers whether or not they would use genetically modified lines to produce GM grains,” he said.
GM is also up for debate in South Australia where the moratorium is still in place.