Scientists warn of GM dangers

Controversial scientists Don Huber and Judy Carman toured WA last week to share their research on genetically modified crops and the use of certain chemicals.

Two events were held, attended to full capacity at each venue, with an estimated 80 people at Dowerin, and 150 people at the event held in West Perth.

The public forums formed part of the scientists' broader tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Carman, who is director of the Institute of Health and Environmental Research based in South Australia, discussed the results of her 2013 study that was partly funded by the previous WA Labor Government.

That study found a mix of a GM soy and maize diet in pigs caused stomach and uterine issues in the animals.

Professor Huber, emeritus professor of Plant Pathology at Purdue University in Indiana, USA, discussed what he described as the detrimental effects of GM crops and glyphosate-based weedkillers on soil, crop and animal health, and the consequent impact on human health.

He said the intensive use of glyphosate required in the use of GM crops could be linked to higher levels of autism and spontaneous abortion in humans.

Both scientists stressed the need for sound science and independent long-term testing on all GMOs before their release into the environment and the food chain.

However, not everyone in the audience agreed.

Morawa farmer Bill Crabtree, who attended the Perth forum, tweeted throughout the session about his scepticism of the research.

Among his tweets were: "I asked two questions - dishonest answers - then I was boo'd and manhandled in a very #organic manner."

Croplife Australia chief executive Matthew Cossey, in a letter to _Countryman _ _ *, * _said anti-science campaigners seemed to like to pit farmer against farmer, seeking to reduce choice in agriculture.

"Using false claims about GM labelling, cherry-picking of data and crop prices and citation of discredited and retracted anti-GM papers, they regurgitate falsehoods based on nothing but their own personal misinformed beliefs," he said.

Meanwhile FoodWatch, which hosted the WA events alongside Slow Food Perth and the GM-Free Australia Alliance, was pleased with the public turnout but disappointed Liberal and National politicians did not attend a briefing by the scientists in the same week at Parliament House, hosted by Agriculture Region MLC Darren West and well attended by Labor representatives.

FoodWatch spokeswoman Shirley Collins said as several Liberal MPs had been ferociously vocal about the study, this could have provided an opportunity to discuss their grievances and learn more about the outcome of the research.

The meetings last week coincided with Agriculture and Food Minister Ken Baston's launch of the Grain Industry Association of WA's 2025 strategy at the 2015 Agribusiness Crop Updates. The GIWA strategy supports the repeal of the State legislation on GM crops.

GIWA has called for the State Government to repeal the WA Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 and amend the WA Gene Technology Act 2006 to be in lock-step with the Commonwealth Gene Technology Act 2000.

According to the GIWA report this would provide for "lower-cost adoption pathways for GM crops while still providing security and market choice to consumers".

But Ms Collins said there was no choice for consumers.

Ms Collins said a key point about consumer choice was that if consumers wanted the choice to eat GM-free products, then farmers must have the choice to grow GM-free products.

"The imposition of GM must not take away that choice which farmers enjoyed prior to the introduction of GM seeds in the mid-1990s," she said.

Ms Collins said a lack of labelling on food that used GM canola also removed choice for consumers.

At a press conference last week, Mr Baston agreed there was a need for better food labelling, particularly in light of the recent imported berry issue, but said this was a Federal Government matter.

GM-Free Farmers Group spokesman Darrell Boase said his group recently met with Mr Baston to raise concerns over the proposed repeal of the Act.

Mr Boase said among questions put to the minister were who would compensate the 4700 WA farmers for the loss of a $2billion-$3 billion annual wheat industry given an inevitable GM contamination event.

The GM-Free Farmers also questioned why the State Government was willing to sacrifice the billion dollar wheat industry in favour of a smaller dividend from Monsanto (which with DAFWA is a partner in InterGrain).

Meanwhile, Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said she would table a motion in Federal Parliament which called on the Commonwealth to create a national GM contamination insurance scheme that ensured any associated clean-up and loss of income was funded by levies on GM crops.

The move comes in the wake of the landmark court case where Steve Marsh's organic farm at Kojonup was contaminated by GM canola seeds from neighbour Michael Baxter. Mr Marsh lost his case. That motion also calls on the WA Government to retain the GM Crops Free Areas Act.