Australia: GM crops seen as way farmers can beat drought
Oct 25th, 2006 by Axel
The impact of drought on WA (West Australia) farmers would be reduced if commercial genetically modified crops were allowed, a major farming group claims.
The ban prevents the commercial release of all GM crops in WA until at least 2008. Chairman Leon Bradley said the Wheatbelt would be transformed if commercial GM canola could be grown — even if drought years continued. He said herbicide-resistant GM canola produced 20 per cent bigger yields than non-GM canola bred through conventional means to be herbicide-resistant. It could also be seeded in drier conditions — meaning this year it could have been planted in April. Instead farmers had either delayed planting canola as they waited for rain or were unable to seed. Mr Bradley said while canola was valued at about a tenth of wheat production Statewide, it played a crucial role in farmers’ profit margins. Improving yields of canola would make all the difference to many farms’ survival. “GM canola would transform the whole Wheatbelt economy,” Mr Bradley said.
Further research was needed into drought-resistant GM wheat and lupin varieties and given the likelihood China would soon accept GM rice, there was a future for both crops. But WA Farmers Federation policy director Andy McMillan said his organisation only supported GM crops grown in controlled trials at this stage. Mr McMillan said WA’s wheat markets did not yet accept GM varieties and WA farmers were divided on the issue. “We have members at either extreme and the majority are in the middle and want more information,” he said. Mr McMillan hoped that by 2008 when the moratorium would be reviewed, trials would have provided enough information to support growing commercial GM crops. Mr Bradley said the PGA and WAFF represented about half WA grain growers with the rest not affiliated to any group.