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Bob Carr received over a thousand emails from Greenpeace cyberactivists and faxed letters from NSW farmers responding to an advertisement placed in The Land newspaper by the Network of Concerned Farmers.
However, the government is still allowing 400 hectares of GE canola to be trialled, making it the largest GE crop trial in the country.
"400 hectares is still a dangerously large area for GE crop trials, and these trials will still pose the same contamination and liability risks," said Greenpeace GE campaigner Jeremy Tager. "Greenpeace will continue to work for a fully GE-free NSW."
Background information
On 25 March 2004 the Victorian government announced an extension to its moratorium on genetically engineered (GE) food crops until 2008. This also excluded large-scale trials and followed similar bans announced in Western Australia and Tasmania earlier this week.
This was a huge win for Australia’s GE-free food crop status but NSW is still considering approving large scale plantings of GE canola this year, despite an original commitment to a three year moratorium.
Greenpeace GE campaigner Jeremy Tager said that the Victorian government had acted decisively to protect the clean, green reputation of Victorian agriculture, and listened to the majority of farmers and consumers who were concerned about the introduction of GE food crops.
Last week the NSW Advisory Council recommended that large scale GE canola trials begin in NSW. Based on this recommendation, it is expected that the NSW Agriculture Minister, Ian McDonald, will approve the trials within the next two weeks.
“The NSW Advisory Council is clearly out of touch with the rest of the country and the overwhelming evidence against GE food crops,” Mr Tager said. “It is now urgent that Premier Bob Carr intervene and ensure that the Agriculture Minister does not approve trials.”
“If large scale plantings proceed in NSW this year, Premier Carr will be making a de-facto national decision, which threatens to undermine Australia’s GE-free reputation and the moratoria in other states, including Victoria.”
However, the government is still allowing 400 hectares of GE canola to be trialled, making it the largest GE crop trial in the country.
"400 hectares is still a dangerously large area for GE crop trials, and these trials will still pose the same contamination and liability risks," said Greenpeace GE campaigner Jeremy Tager. "Greenpeace will continue to work for a fully GE-free NSW."
Background information
On 25 March 2004 the Victorian government announced an extension to its moratorium on genetically engineered (GE) food crops until 2008. This also excluded large-scale trials and followed similar bans announced in Western Australia and Tasmania earlier this week.
This was a huge win for Australia’s GE-free food crop status but NSW is still considering approving large scale plantings of GE canola this year, despite an original commitment to a three year moratorium.
Greenpeace GE campaigner Jeremy Tager said that the Victorian government had acted decisively to protect the clean, green reputation of Victorian agriculture, and listened to the majority of farmers and consumers who were concerned about the introduction of GE food crops.
Last week the NSW Advisory Council recommended that large scale GE canola trials begin in NSW. Based on this recommendation, it is expected that the NSW Agriculture Minister, Ian McDonald, will approve the trials within the next two weeks.
“The NSW Advisory Council is clearly out of touch with the rest of the country and the overwhelming evidence against GE food crops,” Mr Tager said. “It is now urgent that Premier Bob Carr intervene and ensure that the Agriculture Minister does not approve trials.”
“If large scale plantings proceed in NSW this year, Premier Carr will be making a de-facto national decision, which threatens to undermine Australia’s GE-free reputation and the moratoria in other states, including Victoria.”
