Activists 'misled over GM'
Farmers are calling on environmentalists to better educate themselves about genetically modified technology.
Activists from Greenpeace and Mothers Are Demystifying GE stormed the WA No-Tillage Farmers Association conference earlier this month.
Agrifood Awareness director Paula Fitzgerald said the activists were misleading others about farming.
“It is ironic that groups that publicly say so much about agriculture, finally took the time to learn what farming and food production is all about,” she said.
No-till farming is a method to cultivate the land without soil disturbance.
Morawa farmer Bill Crabtree advocates no-till farming and grows GM canola.
He said GM technology was necessary to secure the future of farming.
“I would call Greenpeace a multinational company that makes money out of scaring people,” he said.
“I would encourage them to look at the science. We need the technology and we need new GM crops for the future.”
Mr Crabtree was disappointed by Premier Colin Barnett’s rejection of GM wheat production.
The Premier last week announced he supported GM cotton and canola, but not wheat.
Mr Barnett said he supported GM wheat research, but would not necessarily advocate its commercial production.
He cited disinterest from the Japanese market.
Greenpeace campaigner Laura Kelly hailed the decision, but called for more information.
“By responding to export market demand, Premier Barnett is placing the interests of WA farmers above and beyond those of the hungry foreign chemical companies,” she said.
Ms Kelly said the Premier should outline what his position meant for future GM wheat trials in WA.
About 70,000 hectares of GM canola were planted in WA last year.
CLAIRE TYRRELL
