GMO canola escapes Australian quarantine

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Australia lifted a moratorium on use of genetically modified canola in March, 2008, and already it has escaped from containment in the southern area of the state of New South Wales, the Sydney Morning Herald reports.

The Herald quotes farmers as saying they are growing GMO canola "whether we want to or not." They are concerned that their commercial status as GMO-free growers will be compromised after canola matching Monsanto's patented GMO seed was found growing beside a highway and at other locations.

The concerns may be for nothing. While Minister of Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said GMO and non-GMO seeds would be separated in 2008, Australia's biggest grain handler Graincorp said in May that the crops would be mixed together. The Commonwealth Office of the Gene Technology Regulator says it is safe for human consumption. BF