GM contamination found in Western Australia - farmers insist on recall 

For immediate release: 07 August 2005
http://www.non-gm-farmers.com/news_details.asp?ID=2323

The  Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF) have announced evidence of GM 
contamination  in West Australia following testing of canola samples in stored 
canola. A series  of preliminary tests were undertaken by Cooperative Bulk Handling 
(CBH) and some  revealed very small levels of GM content which have been sent 
overseas for  further testing.

"This is very serious and if results are positive,  recall needs to be 
addressed urgently," said Julie Newman, NCF National  Spokesperson and West 
Australian farmer.

"Farmers can’t afford to throw  away our GM-free status as more and more 
markets are demanding no tolerance of  any GM seeds in consignments."

Concern to a possibility of contamination  was raised when a consignment of 
canola was found to be contaminated in Victoria  and it was speculated that it 
could be in a newly released seed line also sold  in West Australia. It has 
been identified that the GM construct found was Bayer  Cropscience's "Topas" 
which is the same as found in Victoria. 

"Buyers  need confidence in the product they are buying and we commend CBH 
and the State  government for instigating these pre-sale tests," said Mrs 
Newman.  

"Markets are routinely asking for GM status on consignments and often  test 
to verify the claims that there is no GM present."

The NCF claim  that preliminary samples detected only one GM seed in 10,000 
and these tests  have been forwarded overseas for further analysis. It is 
possible that the  preliminary tests done could produce a false positive result and 
testing needs  to be verified by more advanced methods not available in 
Australia. Final  results may not be available for a further two to three weeks.

"With such  low levels found in isolated samples, we have every confidence 
that this  contamination can be recalled. If contamination is confirmed, the 
next step is  to find the source of the contamination, eliminate it and send the 
bill to  whoever caused it. 

"The inability for common law to address liability  for economic loss caused 
by GM contamination is a very real threat. Governments  must introduce a 
strict liability legislation to be sure the polluter pays, not  the polluted."

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Contact: Julie Newman 08 98711562 or 08  98711644