Wheat Board snuffs GM canola trial

Daily Telegraph(Australia), April 1, 2004

The NSW Government has ruled out a 3000 hectare trial 
of genetically modified canola after strong opposition 
from the Australian Wheat Board (AWB).

NSW Agricultural Minister Ian Macdonald said three 
small research trials for GM canola would go ahead
to test different varieties of GM canola plants against 
traditional canola.

Today's announcement dashes the hopes of agri-business 
giant Monsanto, Bayer CropScience and Australian Oilseeds 
Federation, which had hoped to trial the 3000 hectares 
of GM canola this year.

Western Australia and Tasmania have both banned GM crops, 
while Victoria last week extended its moratorium on the 
technology by four years. 

Mr Macdonald said he had decided not to proceed with the 
3000 hectare trial at this time because of concerns 
raised by AWB Ltd, one of the main stakeholders, which 
voiced concern about the possibility of exporting the crop. 

"If one takes into account the fact that the AWB is the 
largest grain exporter by a significant factor ... we 
have to be very careful that we don't upset their markets. 

"Hopefully, the AWB and the other grains organisations and 
the proponents can consider the issues in the future and 
if they can find some unity then a proposal could be put 
forward some time in the future." 

AAP