BY EVA CHENG
The last legal barrier for the release of GM food crops in Australia was breached on July 28, when the federal government approved the commercial release of GM canola by Bayer CropScience corporation. The first-ever approval of the commercial release of a GM food crop in Australia was pushed through despite widespread concern among the Australian people about the harmful health and environmental consequences of GM crops.
In early 2000, a Good Business Sense survey in Australia revealed that 71% of those questioned did not want to buy GM foods. In April 2000, an AC Neilson survey found that 68% of those quizzed weren't happy about eating GM food, and 90% supported the labelling GM food. In 2001, an Australia National University survey showed that 96% of respondents favoured the labelling of GM food.
In May, Prime Minister John Howard's government joined the US in its formal action at the World Trade Organisation against the European Union's moratorium on GM food crops.
Due to widespread consumer rejection, five of Australia's states and territories have, over the last few months, either introduced or extended moratoriums on outdoor GM food production or release. NSW's moratorium is for three years, Tasmania's will last until 2008, Western Australia's is for five years, Victoria's is for one year and South Australia's is a voluntary agreement for this season.
Queensland's Premier Peter Beattie is strongly in favour of GM food, and Queensland is the only place in Australia where GM food crops can be grown. There have been three GM canola trials in the Lockyer Valley in Queensland. The Northern Territory government holds "no formal position" on the issue but GM cotton trials are underway near Katherine.
While the chances of the pro-GM food lobby succeeding in Australia are significant, consumer resistance to GM foods may still win out. One heartening indicator came on August 20, when Goodman Fielder, the biggest buyer of canola oil in Australia, announced that it would not be buying produce made from GM canola, a reflection of consumers' rejection of GM products.
In January, 50,000 tonnes of US corn containing GM varieties arrived in Brisbane for use as chicken feed. GeneEthics Network director Bob Phelps condemned the move as an affront to the 68% of Australians who reject GM foods.
From Green Left Weekly, September 3, 2003.
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