Australia
January 25, 2010

The Australian Oilseeds Federation welcomed today’s decision by the W.A. Government to allow the planting and cultivation of GM Canola in WA.

The move, approved by Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman, brings WA, Australia’s largest canola producing state, in line with Victoria and NSW in allowing growers to access the newest varieties of canola. “This now places WA on equal footing, not only with NSW and Victoria, but indeed much of the canola producing world, in enabling growers in W.A. to compete fairly and competitively in the market.” said Robert Green, Vice President of the Australian Oilseeds Federation.

The ability of WA growers to utilise GM canola gives them an added tool in their farm management practice tool kit, with now another option for weed management, and another means to improve profitability and sustainability.

Growers will now have a wider choice of canola varieties to select from, according to the specific agronomic, environmental and market conditions present at planting time. Similarly, processors and end users will also have a choice of canola types, according to specific market and customer needs.

“Key to the success on the introduction of GM canola in the Eastern States has been the commitment of the industry to deliver on market choice, by ensuring a specific segregation for non GM canola.” says Mr. Green. This has enabled growers, processors and end customers who wish to access non-GM canola or oil/meal from non GM canola to be able to do so with ease. The work done to establish specific segregation protocols in the lead up to commercialisation on NSW and Victoria, together with two years of practical experience in segregation in these states gives the WA grains industry a walk up start in being able to ensure effective segregation throughout the supply chain.

“The Western Australian grains industry already has very robust segregation protocols in place, both between and within grains, and we are confident that the non-GM segregation will function as effectively and efficiently in WA as it has in NSW and Victoria” Mr Green said.

Website: http://www.australianoilseeds.com

Published: January 25, 2010