Japanese urge Australia to stay GM-free

[montag]

Japanese consumers are pleading with the Australian government to ban genetically modified (GM) canola.

The Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ), which has 1,250 organisations representing more than two million Japanese shoppers, will meet with the Australian Embassy in Tokyo to ask for the ban on Thursday.

"We need you to keep supplying us with GM-free," CUJ spokeswoman Michiyo Koketsu said.

"Eighteen countries grow GM-free canola ... but Australia is the sole exporter of GM-free canola on world markets.

"We are worried that our clean, green GM-free choice will be taken away."

Victoria and NSW recently lifted their bans on GM crops, but moratoriums remain on the products in South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania.

Queensland allows GM crops, but does not grow GM canola.

CUJ member Ryoko Shimizu, of the Policy Research Institute for the Civil Sector, urged Victoria and NSW to extend their bans "so the whole of Australia stays GM-free and your wholesome clean, green reputation is kept".

Ms Shimizu said the institute would urge the new federal government to impose a ban or strict regulations on genetically modified crops.

She said the experience in Canada had shown it was easy for GM-free crops to be contaminated by those that had been genetically modified.

It was also important that those farmers who wanted to remain GM-free had the right to do so.

On Tuesday, CUJ representatives met with more than 200 farmers in Horsham, in Victoria's west, where they urged them to continue growing GM-free canola.

Ms Koketsu said farmers had told them they wanted to stay GM-free but were scared to speak out.

"We share your farmers' concerns about being overrun and contaminated by GM canola, and losing markets, especially in Japan," she said.

"Our members pay a lot for Australia's GM-free products because we have deep concerns over the health and safety of GM foods.

"GM-free is the way we want to stay and we ask Australians to help us."

Comment was being sought from Agriculture Minister Tony Burke.
http://news.theage.com.au/japanese-urge-australia-to-stay-gmfree/20080220-1tb0.html

[de_shit]

Nice find man. America needs to be GM free!

[e7304]

Yep. I am in WA and the PR here gets deep. Saw a letter to the editor last week from some Prof who said we should embrace GM as its better than "normal" food AND opponents were "anti science" and ignorant.

The GMO companies are the worst liars in science...even bigger than big pharma. Monsanto is the biggest. Truly the "evil empire".

But also saw an ABC article from February 2008 below.

Canola growers 'worried' about GM crops
Posted Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:26am AEDT

Map: Tamworth 2340
The New South Wales Opposition says canola growers in the state's north-west have serious concerns about the introduction of genetically-modified (GM) crops.

The moratorium on planting GM canola expires at the end of the month, paving the way for commercial production with the approval of Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald.

Inverell-based Nationals MLC Rick Colless has hosted a visit to State Parliament where visiting Canadian farmers warned of the dangers of introducing GM crops.

Mr Colless says most canola producers have told him they will not switch to GM seeds.

"While I suspect that this year there may be some commercial crops gown using genetically engineered seed, I suspect that the vast majority of farmers up our way will still opt for the non-genetically engineered canola," he said.

"I just hope that they can maintain their integrity, keeping their crops segregated from those who choose to grow the genetically engineered crops."


Then this more dire warning


Australia: A 'final' warning

Country News (Australia), February 18 2008.

Two Canadian farmers have warned that once Australia introduces GM canola, the country would be "GM forever".

Farmers from Berrigan, Savernake, Finley, Jerilderie and Tocumwal along with Member for Murray-Darling John Williams and farmers from surrounding areas attended the forum at Corowa.

Guest speakers Terry Boehm, a grain farmer and vice-president of the Canadian Farmers Union, and Arnold Taylor, a farmer of 25 years from the Saskatchewan province of Canada, shared their experience of growing GM canola.

"We didn't realise what we were getting into," Mr Boehm said.

"Canada is now a GM country. If we had a choice, we wouldn't have become a GM nation.

"Contamination takes place rapidly, there are many legal disputes over responsibility and ownership and we lost the European (export) market soon after GM canola was introduced to Canada. It was ultimately the end for our crops."

The moratorium on planting GM canola expires at the end of February, paving the way for commercial production with the approval of Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald.

The forum was told that before Australia commits to growing genetically-engineered herbicide-tolerant canola, it has an opportunity to learn from Canada, where it has been grown commercially for more than a decade.

Both Canadian farmers said they had experienced "widespread contamination" of their crops by genetically modified canola.

"If you go down this road, you will be a GM country forever," Mr Taylor said.

"Australia, being a continent and non-GM, has a huge marketing advantage over other countries. There is no way we can separate GM from non-GM now in Canada," he said.

Wagga-based lawyer Kevin Foley said he was very concerned about the legal implications and liability in regards to GM seed.

"There are enormous areas for litigation, such as farmers suing farmers for contamination. We are opening a Pandora's box in litigation if we go down the GM path," Mr Foley said.

WE HAVE TO STAY GM FREE.

I am going to write a letter to the local paper that will include bits from "Seeds of Deception" and bits from "Seeds of Destruction". The fu#s cant get away with this. Problem is I have written many letters to the West Australian and not one has been published. Hopefully more chance with the local paper (but its owned by the West Australian...so much for media diversity).:mad:

[montag]

WE HAVE TO STAY GM FREE.

I am going to write a letter to the local paper that will include bits from "Seeds of Deception" and bits from "Seeds of Destruction". The fu#s cant get away with this. Problem is I have written many letters to the West Australian and not one has been published. Hopefully more chance with the local paper (but its owned by the West Australian...so much for media diversity).:mad:
Good work, don't stop writing letters, this must be stopped..

[enlightenme]

e7304...good on you for speaking up. its a very important issue and we in Oz should (and are) adresses this issue very seriously. there are many GM Free companies/food in Oz though. Jump on the net and only buy from them. ;)