Support for GM probe

THE Victorian Farmers Federation says it strongly supports the action being taken by the Victorian Government to trace the source of the genetically modified material found in a shipment of Australian canola.
The VFF was briefed by deputy secretary of Agriculture Bruce Kefford regarding the trace level presence of approved GM material in a shipment of Australian canola due for export.
VFF Grains Group president Ian Hastings said new testing processes have enabled the detection of GM presence at levels of 0.01 per cent.
“Five years ago anything below one per cent would have been undetectable,” Mr Hastings said.
“Given the fact the variety was only trialed at one small site in 1996, we agree with Government that it is highly unlikely the trial was the source.
“The VFF will not speculate further as to the source, but we reassure farmers the Victorian Government is doing a fantastic job of working with the whole of industry to trace the source.”
Mr Hastings said the Victorian Government has assured the VFF that farmers who may have unknowingly sown canola, which contains the gene, will not be at risk under the States’ moratorium legislation.
“The VFF supports the current regulatory regime for gene technology.
“The gene found was approved by the OGTR in Australia and is approved for consumption in countries such as the EU, USA, and Japan,” Mr Hastings said.
“The grains industry has strict grain quality standards, set to ensure we clearly meet world market requirements.
“To meet these standards they use the best available grain testing technologies. “