MEDIA RELEASE

Minister must close the gate and declare WA GM-free

12 December 2003

West Australian Greens MLC, Dr Chrissy Sharp, has called on the WA Minister
for Agriculture to use new powers under the amended Genetically Modified
Crops Free Areas Bill 2003 to declare WA a state-wide GM-free zone.

Commenting on amendments passed in the Legislative Council, Dr Sharp said
that the Minister must use the extended powers as soon as practicable.

"The amendments give effect to the unanimous recommendations of the
Parliamentary Inquiry into gene technology, as well as reflecting the
Government's own moratorium policy," Dr Sharp said.

"At the moment gene technology is unregulated in WA.  The Minister for
Agriculture must now close the gates of our State to all GM crops until the
marketing risks of accepting any GM crops on our "clean green" image are
resolved.

Dr Sharp said that a significant international market survey undertaken by
the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs (Report 8, 2003)
indicated that:

"the balance of evidence suggests that the potential benefits from the
commercialisation of GM crops are not sufficient to weigh against the
risks." (p.218)
and that
"a single GM crop may tarnish WA's overall reputation as being a 'clean and
green' non-GM producer, and thus have implications for the marketability of
other WA agricultural products."

The Committee recommended that the Minister for Agriculture adopt a
gatekeeper approach, beginning with the implementation of the powers of the
Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Bill, as amended in line with the
Committee recommendations to designate the whole State GM-free.

Dr Sharp said that it was important for the Minister to move to close the
gate on GM crops because WA farmers need certainty on their market position.

"There will be a competitive advantage to promote WA products in certain
markets like Europe and Japan as non-GM, which gives us a window of
opportunity to increase our market share," Dr Sharp concluded.

For further information contact Dr Sharp on 08 9222 7254  or 0427-881-805



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	Bob Phelps
	Executive Director
	GeneEthics Network
	Level 1, 60 Leicester St, Carlton 3053 Australia
	Tel: 03 9347 4500 {Int Code +613} or 1300 133 868
	Fax: 03 9345 1166
	Email: info@geneethics.org
	WWW: http://www.geneethics.org

	The problem with the gene pool is, there is no lifeguard.

	Knowing is not enough, you must also act.

	"If the people will lead, the leaders will follow." David Suzuki

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