West Australia unveils sites for transgenic canola trial

 

 

Western Australia state will proceed with trials this winter of genetically-modified canola, Agriculture Minister Terry Redman said Wednesday (April 15) while announcing 20 test sites.

 

The decision to proceed comes after Redman signed an exemption order pertaining to a motion, passed late last week by Western Australia's upper house of Parliament, to disallow planting of genetically modified canola crops. The government temporarily doesn't hold a majority in Parliament.

 

"By allowing these trials to proceed, the State Government is taking a managed approach which allows research to resume into the use of GM technology while the supply chain is monitored," he said in a statement.

 

The exemption order will allow trials in the state to proceed, with farmers participating in the trial free to plant GM canola, he said.

 

The 17 trial sites for farmers, ranging in area from 30-70 hectares, are clustered in two locations: one in the York-Cunderdin-Beverley cropping area east of Perth city and the other in the Great Southern region north of Albany Port.

 

Three research trial sites, including two at Department of Agriculture facilities, complete the planned experimental program, which covers a total 854 hectares, the minister said.

 

The Department will monitor of the trials and provide a report at the end of the season, he said.

 

Farmers participating in the trials have gone through a Roundup Ready canola stewardship program through Monsanto Australia and completed crop management and resistance management plans as well as licensing documentation, he said, adding that they have also notified their neighbours of their intention to plant GM canola.

 

"The decision to allow small scale commercial GM canola trials tests that both GM and non-GM canola can be grown, transported, handled, and exported as separate grains," Redman said.

 

Western Australia is potentially a major user of GM canola. According to an official estimate for the crop year ended March 31, the state produced 1.0 million tonnes of canola, or 62 percent of national output, nearly all of which is available for export.