Posted on 28-5-2002

Genetically Engineered Trojan Horse
By Benjamin Haslem, Australian Post

Intro by Alan Marston

Apart from Tasmania, which is going GE Free over whole state, and most
importantly is an Island, I surmise that the agreement reached below is a
Trojan Horse for GE using corporate investment in Australia. Reasoning?
There is no effective `buffer zone' that can guarantee GE-Free crops are
not contaminated by GM organisms released into the environment. Trojan
Horse tactics are fast becoming a favourite of the global corps and their
political allies. Once `out', there is no re-call or defeat of GE
organisms, Organic commerce will be dealt a death blow, defeated in its own
home.

..............

Consumer confidence in the integrity of foods marketed as free of genetic
modifications has been boosted by a landmark agreement between the
commonwealth and states that allows the establishment of GM-free
agriculture zones.

A meeting on Friday of the Gene Technology Ministerial Council agreed to
issue a policy principle allowing the states and territories to pass laws
to establish zones in which genetically modified crops cannot be grown.
Zones in which only GM crops can be grown can also be established. The
zones will allow producers to market produce labelled GM-free or organic
knowing their crops have not been contaminated by GM-crops nearby, a
spokeswoman for the council said yesterday. Both South Australia and
Victoria have established legislation to create the zones, and all other
state and territory governments are committed to following suit.

Tasmania has declared the entire state GM-free.

Friday's resolution means the commonwealth's Gene Technology Regulator, Sue
Meek, can now only override a state decision to establish a zone if public
health and safety or the environment are at risk. The regulator issues
licences to farmers wanting to grow GM crops and, following the resolution,
will have to recognise zones established by state and territory
governments. Federal Health Minister Kay Patterson said Friday's outcome
was evidence of the agreement that existed across governments on the issue
of GM foods. "The council's primary aim is to ensure that all Australians
benefit from a sound, world-class regulatory system which protects the
health and safety of Australians and the Australian environment, while
supporting our aspirations as a world leader in gene technology research
and application," Senator Patterson said.

Friday's agreement comes as two giant chemical companies -- Monsanto and
Aventis Cropscience -- are poised to apply for an Australian licence to
release genetically modified canola. The move could mean the nation's first
commercial crop will be sown next year. Both hope to submit their plans to
Dr Meek within three weeks. Many Australian farmers fear export markets
could be damaged and a new breed of herbicide-resistant super weeds could
be unleashed through the cultivation of GM crops. Three supermarket chains
in Britain have refused to sell GM products. Trials have revealed that GM
canola pollen can travel up to 3km, more than seven times the 400m buffer
zone required for open-field testing. The Gene Technology Grains Committee,
comprising more than 40 industry and government representatives, is
developing a supply chain plan for the marketing of GM canola with a strong
focus on segregating it from non-GM varieties.

The size of buffer zones and harvesting, handling and shipping rules are
also being looked at.