Shire push against GM

By Tania Martin
THE Shire of Yarra Ranges is calling for local governments to have a say in the review of the moratorium on genetically modified canola in a bid to stay GM free.
Lyster Ward councillor Samantha Dunn last week called for the shire to write to the State Government to show the council’s opposition to GM crops.
The State Government introduced a moratorium on GM canola in March 2004 which is set to expire in February next year unless a new ban is introduced.
The moratorium was introduced after farmers raised concerns over the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator’s (OGTR) decision to approve two GM canola crop varieties.
A spokesman for the State Government said a panel had been appointed to review the moratorium on GM canola and that it was currently consulting key stakeholders and would be inviting public submissions before preparing a final report.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges is now calling for local governments to be recognised as a key stakeholder in the GM debate.
Cr Dunn said there was very little recognition for local government in the debate and that needs to change.
“It’s the councils that have to bear the brunt if something goes wrong – we should be able to have our say.”
Ryrie Ward councillor Jeanette McRae said the council needed to make its voice heard on the issue so that it can continue to be clean and green.
The council last year experienced its lack of power regarding the introduction of GM crops when it tried and failed to halt a trial for GM blue roses in Silvan.
In April the OGTR approved a trial to allow Japanese multinational company Florigene Suntori to grow GM blue roses at Australian Roses in Silvan despite the council’s opposition.
The council campaigned for months to get the ruling overturned because it wanted to uphold its 2001 policy to oppose all GM crops in the shire.
But despite the council’s concerns that the trial would threaten its clean and green reputation, the trial is proceeding.
Cr Dunn said it was now important for the State Government to give local councils more say on the issue.
She said if the Shire of Yarra Ranges had more say on the rose trial it would never have been approved.
“I think councils should be able to have a say in whether they stay GM free,” she said.
Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato has also voiced her opposition to GM crops to Parliament.
Ms Lobato said GM crops posed a massive legal and financial risk to farmers.
She claimed in a recent letter to the Mail no-one wanted to eat GM food and that the health and environmental consequences were not fully known and have not been adequately tested. Ms Lobato says the introduction of GM crops would be a massive experiment that would make every Victorian a guinea pig. She has put together information packs on GM crops and has urged people to voice their concerns now.
“We must keep Victoria GM free,” she said.