Views on GM polarised: WA survey

A Western Australian government survey of public and industry views has revealed strongly-polarised views about the costs and benefits of introducing genetically modified crops, says Agriculture Minister Kim Chance.

The public consultation paper was circulated earlier this year to probe views on the potential for GM-free zones to offer a marketing advantage for agrifood products labelled GM-free.

"With the notable exception of making the whole or a large part of the state a GM-free zone, the consensus from the majority of respondents was opposition to the establishment of GM-free zones," Chance said.

"The submissions from farmers mainly reflected on a farmer's right to choose to grow or not to grow GM crops, but included opposition by farmers to the introduction at present of commercial GM crops.

"In the submissions there was support by most agribusinesses for market determination and parallel production of conventional, organic and genetically modified crop production, supported by quality control and identity preservation systems."

The consultation process has identified a need for wider community consultation and research to take place prior to decisions being made regarding commercial releases of genetically modified crops, Chance said.

The government plans to pursue more detailed discussions with industry groups to come up with specific answers on a number of issues.

Judged by the number of responses drawn by the paper, the GM issue is not seen as a high priority by the average WA citizen.

Only 62 replies were received although more than 1,250 copies of the paper were sent out and advertisements calling for submissions were placed in urban and rural media outlets.

Most replies came from the agribusiness sector, followed in descending order by community representatives, environmental groups, some individual farmers, local government and members of the public.

The paper sought comments on the potential costs and benefits of GM-free zones, how they might be managed and their marketing benefits. It was also looking for suggestions about industry or government initiatives that could maximise long-term economic benefits to industry and the State through the establishment of GM-free zones.

Since release of the public responses, a delegation from the WA Gene Technology Grains Committee, which is working on a code of conduct for storing and handling GM foods, has made a presentation to Chance.

The committee is part of the national technical working group of industry and government officials who are dealing with how GM and non-GM crops might co-exist in grower and distribution channels.

Committee chairman Peter Wahlston said the groups presentation was well received by the Agriculture Minister.

Meanwhile, complementary State legislation to the Federal government's Gene Technology Act 2000 has been passed in WA's lower house and been referred to a cross-party committee for further review.

The legislation is likely to spend several months with the committee before being sent for a final vote in the upper house.