News 
 State News 
 Agribusiness and General 
 Political 
 It's time for GM flowers to bloom 

It's time for GM flowers to bloom

25 Sep, 2008 11:29 AM
GENETICALLY modified (GM) crop supporters have welcomed the recent change of state government, saying it has renewed hopes among farmers and the industry.

Those who were continually frustrated by the excuses and political game playing that accompanied the ALP's moratorium on commercial GM crop production during two terms of office, are now preparing themselves for a bright new era.

The newly formed alliance between the Liberal and Nationals parties could see broad scale trials of GM canola start in WA by as early as next year.

GM supporters also believe GM cotton can be grown in the state's North West as soon as infrastructure developments of Ord Stage 2 are complete.

Agriculture Department senior scientific staff would not comment as they are prevented from statements before their new minister is sworn in.

However, there was no hiding their renewed interest at the thought of a new political attitude to biotechnology.

The cleaning out of a stifling political ideology could now be replaced by the virtues of scientific facts, it is understood.

AgBio advisory group and AusBiotech chairman Ian Edwards said he had never been more satisfied in seeing a government defeated.

Dr Edwards said it was common knowledge that Labor had cut a deal with the Greens on GM when they came to power with two Upper House seats.

He said this meant bad news for farmers because no GM crops would be grown during the tenure of any Labor government.

During the past two and a half years, Dr Edwards served with a key role on former agriculture minister Kim Chance's GM Reference Group.

Dr Edwards said the group was nothing but a charade and should be disbanded immediately.

He said it was simply an exercise in window dressing designed to buy the minister time and avoid making any decision.

Dr Edwards said he voted for the Liberal Party on September 6 because of their sound policies on science and innovation.

He said it was now time for the new state government to support biotechnology in WA, attract venture capital and stop the exodus of good scientists to states and countries with more enlightened policies.

Print
Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size

comments


No comments yet. Be the first to comment below.

post a comment


Screen name  *
Email address  *
Remember me?
Comment  *
 
We invite and encourage our readers to post comments. Comments are moderated and will appear as soon as our editor has approved them. When posting comments you agree to be bound by our Terms and Conditions.

Most popular articles

ELDERS NEWS MREC FW

Irwin Hunter 160x160
 
Banjawarn Station


Farm Weekly







Weather brought to you by:

Weatherzone

Classifieds

Front Page

Current Issue
Privacy Policy | Conditions of Use | Advertising Terms | Copyright © 2012. Fairfax Media.
 SEND...
 SAVE...
 SHARE...