WA farmers urge other growers to speak up on GM

WA farmers urge other growers to speak up on GM

Media release 8 February 2018

WA farmers have responded to the call for evidence for a Parliamentary inquiry into GM contamination issues, including compensation for non-GM farmers economically impacted if their crop is contaminated.

 “It is so important that farmers address this inquiry with their on-the-ground experiences, and I am very pleased they are doing this,” Greens Agriculture Spokesperson Diane Evers MLC said .

“We are hearing from farmers that there is no guaranteed way to protect their canola from GM canola; they’re telling us how this can happen – either in the paddock or during harvesting and transportation - and the financial implications for them if it does happen.

“The large and mostly silent majority of canola farmers in WA farming non-GM canola are at risk of losing out financially if their crops are found to contain GM canola, so rather than expect them to carry that burden we need to look at how they can be compensated for losses that they themselves have done nothing to incur. Traditional canola farmers stand to lose up to 10% on the price paid per tonne for their canola if it is found to have GM canola in it.” 

Ms Evers said farmers had to be brave to speak out, but their voices and input were invaluable: “The GM industry receives considerable media coverage, and its proponents are very vocal. By contrast, rarely do we hear from the silent majority, the non-GM farmers. This inquiry is designed to give voice to those farmers.”

She urged farmers to make their submission to the inquiry by Friday 16 February, noting that farmers can request the parliamentary committee treat their submission as confidential.

Mukinbudin canola grower Greg Sole said:

“It’s about the right to protect our income, and the future of the grain industry.”

“It’s definitely a concern for me and other farmers, because it’s impossible to guarantee segregation or isolation of GM canola,” he said.

“We have to stand up now to protect our own income and the future of the grain industry. I say to other farmers, speak up - don’t let the multinationals take control of your market.”

Mr Sole grows canola, wheat and barley in an area where GM canola is currently grown.

Williams farmers William and Kelly Newton-Wordsworth said: 

“It’s a huge unfairness. GM crops can't be contained ever, as there is no way to stop the wind, rain and birds. We personally know non-GM farmers who had their crop contaminated just from one big rain."

"Anyone who grows non-GM crops which become contaminated is in a very real sense carrying the cost for those farmers that grow GM.”

“The inquiry is important to conventional and biodynamic/organic farmers as GM incursion into non-GM crops threatens the livelihood of many farmers.”

The Newton-Wordsworths have a biodynamic farm in Williams bounded on two sides by GM-canola.

Inquiry website: http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/Parliament/commit.nsf/WCouncilCurrent/5A73802849C79D1E48257831003B03B2?OpenDocument