Australia rejects GE food crops

For immediate release

Sydney, Australia,  Thursday 8th May 2003:  Australia will remain
free  from  genetically  engineered (GE)  food crops for at least
another year, following the announcement today of a freeze on the
commercial release of GE canola, by yet another state government.  

The twelve month freeze by the southern state  of  Victoria,  now
means  all  major  Australian  canola growing states have imposed
some  form  of  moratorium  on  the  commercial  release  of  the
country’s first proposed GE food crop, for 2003.  

Greenpeace   Australia  Pacific  campaigner  John  Hepburn  said,
“Despite the failure of  our  national  regulatory  system,  state
governments  have  thankfully listened to the majority of farmers
and to the general community who are opposed to the  introduction
of GE canola”.  

The  Victorian  decision  comes  as  a  major  blow to applicants
Monsanto and Bayer,  who have lobbied strongly for the release of
their GE canola products.  As one of the world’s largest exporters
of  canola,  Australia  is seen as a key area for expansion of GE
crops,  which are reported to be struggling  to  find  acceptance
outside North America and Argentina.  

“Australia  currently  only  allows  the commercial planting of GE
cotton and GE carnations”,  Mr Hepburn said.  “However,  canola  is
proposed  as  the  first  commercially grown GE food crop in this
country”.  

Greenpeace says that consumer rejection of GE foods in  Australia
continues  to grow.  “Studies consistently show that up to 70%  of
Australians are concerned about eating GE food”,  Mr Hepburn said.
“And  many  major  Australian  food  companies  have  responded by
removing GE from their supply chains”.  

“Strong opposition to GE canola has also emerged from conventional
and organic farmers”,  Mr Hepburn  continued,  “and  from  some  of
Australia’s  largest grain groups,  including the Australian Wheat
Board and Barley Board - who are concerned about contamination of
export crops, identity preservation costs and liability issues”.  

Mr Hepburn described the  national  freeze  on  GE  canola  as  “a
victory   for   common   sense”.   “GE  crops  are  a  pariah  both
domestically and on world  markets.   It  is  not  in  Australia’s
economic  interest  to  introduce  GE  canola,  nor  is it in the
interests of the community”,  Mr Hepburn said.  “GE food crops  are
clearly unnecessary, unnatural and unwanted”.  

Contacts:  

Communications Officer: Ellen Stuebe +61 2 9263 0326
Campaigner: John Hepburn +61 407 231 172   
Visit: http://www.greenpeace.org.au