[Radio National: Bush Telegraph, Fri 27 Nov, 2009] After a great deal of controversy, Australian farmers are harvesting their second crop of genetically modified canola. Many questions remain about the canola, such as it's saleability. Compere talks to Nick Godard, Aust Oil Seeds Fed. Godard says the AOSF represents the interests everyone in the value chain from seed-breeders, growers, to crusher and manufacturers. Godard says about 10% of canola this year is GM in NSW and Vic, and 3% of the national crop. Last year was smaller, and GM has grown 4-fold in a year. Godard says they've assured interest groups and Govt that there will be non-GM canola available. Godard says if a grower is non-specific, then GM and non-GM canola will be sold as canola, rather than non-GM canola. Godard says if farmers are harvesting both GM and non-GM, there are guidelines to ensure there's not mixing or contamination. Godard says grain handlers test the grain. Compere says Round-Up Ready canola is one of the flagship products of Monsanto. Compere introduces Tony May, Business Manager for Aust Canola, Monsanto, into the conversation. May says there's been a 10% to 20% yield increase in Round-Up Ready compared to Triazine tolerant canola. May says the ANU did a recent study which shows half of the people support GM technology, with the remainder uncertain or against it. May says a number of bodies such as FSANZ, and ODTR, have found GM technology safe. May says the GM, non-GM split is a great example of market choice working. May says going GM makes a lot of sense, higher yields, and higher gross margins, plus weeds are more easily controlled. May says GM royalties are charged by Monsanto. May says if seed is contaminated the situation will be handled in the same way as other crops. [cont]
In this report: Nick Goddard, executive director, Australian Oilseeds Federation; Andrew Weidemann, GM canola farmer, VFF Grains Group deputy president; Tony May, GM canola business manager, Monsanto; Geoffrey Carracher, Victorian grain farmer, Network of Concerned Farmers.