Farmer Group Policy Statements

These are extracts from peak farming groups policies that support the commercialisation of biotechnology in agriculture. We call on other peak farmer and agriculture groups to join these groups in showing leadership on this issue.

National Farmers' Federation Biotechnology Position Statement
National Farmers' Federation recognises the potential of biotechnology (including gene technology) as a valuable tool within agricultural production systems. The responsible and strategic application of biotechnology within Australia's production systems will result in significant benefits for Australian farmers, the environment, consumers and the Australian economy as a whole.

Grain Growers Association
GGA champions the application of technology to all farming systems in the quest to make grain growing more sustainable and profitable. Australian cotton farmers have been able to successfully integrate GM crop technology into their farming operations and GGA believes grain growers should be given the opportunity to trial similar technology.

Grains Council of Australia Agri-biotechnology Policy
Agricultural biotechnology is critical to the future of Australian plant industries, as it will allow greater freedom for the development of more efficient, environmentally and socially sustainable food, fibre and industrial product value chains that will:

• Facilitate the offer of a wider range of consumer benefits through the development of innovative food and health solutions,
• Allow producers to access new options for managing the interface between farming and the natural resource base,
• Provide a range of alternatives to meet the challenges of global climate change and,
• Allow the Australian plant industries to diversify into the production of a range of new industrial and renewable energy products.

VFF Grains Group Biotechnology Policy
The VFF grains group recognises and supports the use of biotechnology. As a tool for:

• Improving the functional properties of food and fibre produced on farms,
• Improving the long-term sustainability of agricultural production systems, and
• Increasing agricultural productivity and profits.

Read more of VFF Grains Group policy.

NSW Farmers Federation Policy **NEW July 2006**

That the Association:
a) lobby the Primary Industries Ministerial Council to set adventitious
presence levels of GM for all crops.
b) investigate the development of a practical, objective and inexpensive
'on-farm' GM detection test
c) implement an encompassing farmer education and awareness campaign
regarding GM canola before the end of the current moratorium
d) call for the immediate lifting of the moratorium on GM crops in NSW

Agforce QLD Biotechnology Policy

• AgForce Grains supports continued research into trialing and testing of individual agricultural products.
• AgForce Grains supports the comprehensive and rigorous science-based assessment of genetically modified species and products.
• AgForce Grains supports the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator in ensuring that responsibility of research trials be strictly contained within the legislated guidelines.
• AgForce Grains supports grain growers having access to an affordable choice of the latest research technology that is best suited to their production needs.

Read more of AgForce's policy.

PGA of Western Australia GMO Policy
The PGA wants a science-only approach to assessments of the safety of biotech crops. Once the safety aspects have been considered, then it is up to farmers (in conjunction with grain marketers and buyers) to decided if a particular crop suits their farming system. We believe that biotechnology, like other technological changes in the past, will be embraced by farmers as a path to economic viability and environmental sustainability.

PGA calls for:

• Cessation of the WA moratorium on biotech crops,
• Quantitative standards for adventitious presence based upon international best-practice (PGA supported 0.5%/0.9% standards recently adopted at PIMCM in Tasmania and calls for them to be maintained), and
• Immediate release of approved GMO crops, within a framework that allows biotech companies, grain handlers and marketers, and farmers a clear path to market.

WA Farmers Policy
WAFarmers supports continued well contained trialled research into GMOs including (subject to the adequate resolution of legal liability issues to protect existing industries) the establishment of farmers sized trials of up to 10 hectares of GM Canola in the Esperance district to provide a clear indication of the benefits or otherwise of GM Canola grown in WA conditions.

WAFarmers supports new Australian and State Government tolerance levels of 0.9% in crops and 0.5% in seeds, however, requires that the State Government fully supports and recognises the activities and recommendations of the Ministerial GMO Industry Reference Group.

WAFarmers supports the lifting of the current State Government moratorium on the commercial release of GMOs when markets clearly indicate their preparedness to accept GM produce.

WAFarmers supports the Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and its charter /to protect the health and safety of Australians and the Australian environment/, however, requires that measures are implemented by Federal and State Governments to provide clear direction on the issues of co-existence, economic and legal liability.