Executive Director of Gene Ethics Bob Phelps [ pictured below] writes:
We have produced a map of Genetically Manipulated (GM) Roundup tolerant canola sites and GM canola depots in NSW & Victoria. Click on the link to see the maps.
We have published these maps today with information gleaned from media reports. GM canola pollen and seed dispersal threaten many rural industries with gene contamination.
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Our map will help protect GM-free grain growers, beekeepers and harvesters from GM contamination. Only one in a thousand farmers is growing GM canola this year, but they pose an unacceptable risk of GM contamination to all other farmers, rural industries, local government and shoppers.
Monsanto has grossly inflated the scale of GM plantings and the number of GM farmers to draw others into buying its patented seed next year. GM canola contamination is inevitable if we don’t act to stop it now as the GM giants are determined to make all NSW and Victorian canola GM as soon as possible.
States acknowledged that GM segregation and containment are impossible when they set a 0.5% threshold for ‘accidental’ GM contamination in seed for planting, and 0.9% in harvested grain.
It’s impossible to stop the spread of canola seed during windrowing, harvest and transport, with at least 2.5 million seeds per hectare and they can lie dormant for up to ten years before germinating.
Some GM canola will fail in the drought, and when it is cut for hay it will not be labelled, also ensuring that other farms are contaminated.
Graham Strong, is a member of the Network of Concerned Farmers who farms 1900 hectares of grain and wool at Narrandera. Graham [pictured below] says:
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“I fully support the Gene Ethics’ map as it will assist growers to satisfy grain buyers in our area who require GM-free declarations.
We are required to certify that we have tried to stay GM-free, so we need to know for sure where GM canola is grown.
Gene Ethics map is useful but I want the government to set up official GM site register that shows all GM farms and the route that trucks will take to the silos so GM contamination is tracked.
GM canola is being grown just 10 kms south east of my farm and it threatens a key local wheat market for all Riverina growers.
Site information may also give us some defence against liability claims when there is GM contamination.
These GM cockies are not cutting edge - they are being led into dependence on GM and are undermining everyone’s options for marketing wheat in the future,” Mr Strong concludes.
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Have Your say.
What do you think of Gene Ethics naming farmers who are growing GM Canola on their site?
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Got a tip off, article or have you seen a video or item you’d like to be seen by the Agmates Community? If so please email it to us at news@agmates.com
Just a question about GM canola in Australia.
What is the legal situation with cross pollenisation from Monsanto’s patented seed G.M. canola?
Would it be considered patent infringement?
Yes, Jeff.
GM canola growers have entered a minefield that affects us all.
NZ Barrister and international law expert Duncan Currie recently warned Australian farmers who sign Monsanto GM canola contracts that they are not permitted to sell their land for up to two years after the contract expires, without the company’s agreement. Their obligations pass to the next landholder who may also be liable for any past breaches.
The contract gives Monsanto the right to sue any farmer found with its patented GM canola seed and a landowner must prove contamination, not theft, is the reason. Monsanto may also: ”inspect, take samples and test all of the grower’s owned and/or leased fields and storage bins” and access copies of all documents for three years after GM canola seed is bought.
The State of California recently passed Law AB 541, to protect their farmers from lawsuits for patent infringement, saying they cannot prevent the inevitable - the drift of GM pollen or seed onto their land and contamination of their non-GM crops.
Australian state governments also acknowledged that GM segregation and containment are impossible when they set a 0.5% threshold for ‘accidental’ GM contamination in seed for planting, and 0.9% in harvested grain.
Monsanto’s own accreditation documents for the deployment of Roundup tolerant canola show the pollen travelling 2.5 km. The Regulators paper on the biology of canola also discloses that canola seed can lie dormant for at least ten years under the right conditions and then germinate.
This is permanent genetic pollution.
Caution and common sense go out the window!
Why are we so quick to fall for all the un-proven benefits and lies.
There have been no safety studies conducted that prove GM foods are safe. To the contrary, dicing and splicing the components of your food supply into never-before-introduced combinations has been found to:
• Cause cancer
• Contribute to food allergies
• Possibly cause damage to the immune system.
• Create super viruses.
The population is being used as guinea pigs in an experiment. But experiments have the benefit of controls and measurement. In this case, there is neither.
There have though, been animal studies done and other problems have been detected in the body, such as damage to the lining of the stomach.
GM food safety experts point out that even if someone tried to collect data about allergic reactions to GM foods, they would likely be unsuccessful.
“The potential allergen is rarely identified. The number of allergy-related medical visits is not tabulated. Even repeated visits due to well-known allergens are not counted as part of any established surveillance system.”5
The classical understanding of why a GM crop might create new allergies is that the imported genes produce a brand new protein. The novel protein may trigger reactions.
It’s been proven, for instance, that bacteria in your gut can take up DNA from GM food and that GM peas caused lung damage in mice and GM potatoes lead to cancer in rats.
What of the environmental impacts? - Who will pay for the weed management? - What of the lost organic industry?
I don’t want a company like Monsanto in control of the worlds’ food supply!
I want clean, green food without pesticides – we have already poisoned our world enough.
Hold on Lydia
You are spinning a line about unsafe fruit and and claiming things are unproven, yet you are repeating stuff that’s untrue and repeating unproven twaddle.
“There have been no safety studies conducted that prove GM foods are safe. “
Despite the fact that Bob Phelps and others say the GM foods are untested
more than 60 articles that are from independent studies on GM food safety ,
and
at least 230 published peer-reviewed scientific articles of assessing GM food safety and no proven safety issues with the foods are released.
You also claim
“To the contrary, dicing and splicing the components of your food supply into never-before-introduced combinations has been found to:
• Cause cancer
• Contribute to food allergies
• Possibly cause damage to the immune system.
• Create super viruses.”
Your obviously sincere but unfortunately misinformed opinion is fueled by books like the one Bob Phelps sponsors — called Genetic Roulette — which is riddled with errors and leaves out all the contrary opinion that should be honestly stated.
Its propaganda not fair advice and propaganda is unethical in matters to do with health, and the environment that matter. We want to do the right thing in these matters and that is impossible if you misinform people.
For example genetic Roulette sponsored by Mr Phelps keeps claiming that the nutrient tryptophane was made toxic by genetic manipulation when the authors have been told about this contrary evidence and choose not to correct their mistakes in the book even though they know they are false.
The ethical thing to do is to correct misinformation when it relates to health, but Mr Phelps is neither equipped to offer health advice professionally and chooses not to correct this this type of misleading information.
You claim Lydia that genetically modified foods contribute to allergies. Just this week in the Weekly Times the food agency FS ANZ had to correct one that the misinformation that has been circulated by the anti-GM people about allergies.
That letter responded to a misunderstanding caused by people circulating scientific advice that was quite wrong and out of date.
I’m really pleased to see you want to minimise the amount of chemical pesticides in the environment; so am I. And do you think the reduction in chemical spraying in the cotton industry made possible by insect protected cotton made by genetic technology is really great health benefit? I do.
The amount of endosulfan pesticide run-off in the rivers in NSW Qld has dropped down to undetectable levels since the BT crops came in. As an environmentalist I see this as a really positive step.
Unfortunately I don’t think you can really rely on Mr Phelps to provide you with up-to-date and complete information it is in his self-interest to maintain hysteria about GM crops — that’s how it earns his living.
He recently said that new GM advantages will be 10 to 20 years away, when for example, drought resistant corn is being shown in field shows in the USA this year. For some reason he never mentions virus resistant papaya which has saved the Hawaiian papaya industry.
He avoids mentioning the several different types of BT insect resistance that are used to try and create the impression that only one trait has been introduced. In other words he is misleading you about how many benefits are entering the market place due to this technology.
David Tribe also known as GM Pundit.
WE DO NOT WANT OUR CHILDREN TO HAVE GM CROPS OR FOODS - WOMEN AND MOTHERS MUST SPEAK OUT!!
Bob,
I object to your using my and other farmers names to generate publicity during which you promote half truths and misinformation. To head up an organisation called gene ethics without displaying any ethical behaviour seems to be merely mocking peoples concerns about GM crops.
As for the legal advice you quote, I can only assume you have selectively quoted your expert or you have wasted your money.
The Plant Variety Rights contracts common since 1992 have had similar or worse clauses in them than you mention from the Monsanto contract but have not led to any of the outcomes you raise.
Wayne,
Before you attacked Bob Phelps like you did .
I ask did you contact Greenpeace in Canada to ask about the damage to the environment and to many families and villages that the planting of GM canola caused in that Country alone.
Did you also contact Greenpeace in Britain to ask about what damage was caused there as well. i suppose you will be criticizing HRH.Prince Charles as well.
Did you know that he is AGAINST GM as well. as the likes of MARGARET FULTON.
Maryellen
I have read Greenpeace Canada’s pronouncements but only in Australian media. They are not credible among Canadians and so you won’t find their statements published by mainstream media in Canada.
GM canola is not an issue in Canada, 90% of the canola grown is GM. You need to look for better sources of information about canola in Canada if you want accurate information.
Greenpeace, a couple of organic farmers or Percy Schmeiser either don’t know or don’t reflect the experience of Canadian farmers with GM canola. The Judge who convicted Schmeiser of knowingly growing Monsanto’s varieties without approval states in his summing up that Schmeiser is “not a reliable witness”.
Seed supplies of GM free canola are available to Canadian farmers (eg seed lines sourced from Germany) but none is sold because farmers are not interested in non gm canola.
Just a correction here. 90% of canola is NOT GM in Canada.
You have included Clearfield which accounts for over 20% and is NON-GM.
In Canada the regulatory process views all canola with “novel traits” such as herbicide tolerance.
TT canola has never been through the regulatory process because triazine is great for ryegrass and radish and Canada does not have a problem with that.
Figures for 2007 were 87% GM (Aust’n definition) 11% Clearfield and 2% other.
I don’t believe 2008 figures are available yet, but I could be corrected!
Yes, TT canola did not go through the Canadian regulatory process because it pre-dates the current regulatory process and so was not required to be submitted.
Mainly Liberty (GM) canola lines replaced any TT lines within a couple of years of the availability of Liberty resistant canola lines in Canada.
Wayne
I have this item from Agnet that puts Canadian GM prcent at 90% in 2008:
Genetically modified canola plantings reach 90 percent in CANADA
15.sep.08
from a press release
Farmer Fred Meister Sees Significant Environmental Benefits on His Farm
St. Louis, MO – Canadian farmers first planted genetically modified (GM) herbicide-tolerant canola crops in the mid-1990s. Today, nearly 90 percent of Canadian canola farmers are planting 90 percent of the canola hectares nationwide to GM canola…
I’d like to have your reference if possible as it is quite different to mine. Thanks.
Media often just quote pro-GM activists and this figure is not correct. You need a good source for data like that to be taken seriously.
Thanks for that Bob,
It was out of curiosity of course.
I seem to remember that there had been some action about that aspect of GM canola in the US or Canada.
The concept of a Monsanto patented seed, linked to the use of Monsanto’s herbicide Roundup,should ring some alarm bells.
And having your land subject to inspection by Monsanto or it’s agents, via contract. - This is control of your livelyhood.
Jeff
I think that everybody has a right to know where this garbage is being planted.
It should never have been done in the first place.
Excellent work Bob and staff. This information is critical to coexistence and the ability for farmers to provide the GM-free choice that consumers demand.
Those farmers that grow GM must be accountable for their lack of consideration for others.
Its a shame governments can’t take this issue seriously enough to protect the choice of farmers and consumers.
A synopsis of a research project of consumer buying habits in the EU funded by the EU notes
” the fact that fewer than half the respondents in the study said they read labels before buying products. Only one in five said that they actively avoided buying GM products.”
So maybe the government policies are reflecting the majority of consumers actions.
RE the break up of Canadian area to GM crops those figures where part of a table supplied to me in February by the President of the Canadian Canola Growers Association.
My guess is that those few farmers who initially planted these toxic GM canola crops were paid-off or given some benefit by Monsanto in order to get their noxious GM crops first planted in Vic & NSW.
Monsanto knows that the crops of other non-GM canola farmers will then be contaminated just like it has occurred in Canada.
The forcing of genetically modified foods literally down our throats seems to be part and parcel with a on-going conspiracy to greatly curb the human population on Earth.
The fact that various levels of the Australian government are in step with this agenda should alert everyone to the traitors within!
Any government official who proclaims this stuff to be safe is a traitor and more of a terrorist than those currently being labeled as such.
Very true Ruth. Well said.
Yes as crazy as it sounds that does appear to be the agenda - are these people united because of greed for more and more control and centralization of money and power and also to secure the State of Israel ?
The ABC TV and radio help big time to push the agenda.
Every day they push GM crops, climate change and now a single global bank for the world to fix the financial collapse.
The problem is not many people especially city people because they are working so hard and they are so much part of the system can’t see it.
I’m glad someone is attempting to alert the public, bee keepers and other farmers where GM canola is being grown. It should fall upon the shoulders of the governments who allowed the crops in the first place. They should have set up a register that logs and tracks all GM movements and plantings.
I just don’t get it. We are supposed to be living in a democracy. An overwhelming majority of people don’t want to eat GM food or food that might be contaminated with GM, yet here we are having to not only swallow unlabeled GM food, but also attempt to provide an informational service to farmers and others impacted by the GM technology.
Lets hope the governments listen and act soon to reinstate the bans on GM canola.
“I just don’t get it.
We are supposed to be living in a democracy. An overwhelming majority of people don’t want to eat GM food or food that might be contaminated with GM, yet here we are having to not only swallow unlabeled GM food, but also attempt to provide an informational service to farmers and others impacted by the GM technology.”
There has been no democracy for all my life-time - many believe a coup was staged in America when J F Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and both the left and the right sides of politics in the US and Australia have always been controlled by mega-wealthy bankers, media and the military/industrial complex - it is very obvious at present.
People think they have a choice but it is an illusion.
Yesterday on Landline they pushed a very pro- GM story - the government , Monsanto and other corporations are all in bed together.
We the little people are rejected as mere peasants easily ignored and sidelined.
We are seeing some very interesting conspiracy theorists here.
The fact that some organisations are producing better ways of making more food is being claimed as evidence of a conspiracy to kill people.
Don’t you think you need to show some really convincing evidence that the results are the opposite of intentions before you can use this as evidence of a conspiracy?
And Von sees some plot involving mega-wealthy bankers and people from Israel as being obviously involved in denying us democracy.
Don’t these theorists realise that most of the people reading their comments will be discounting them heavily?
Just to be clear Von, is your mention of Israel, threats to democracy, and banking plots in the same commentary intentional?
Make yourself perfectly crystal clear on this so we can understand whether to just ignore you or take you seriously.
I thoroughly agree on the last comment that the nsw Government should reintroduce the bans on GM canola
i know tha this may sound corny, but where is Prince Charles when you need him. he certainly has stirred up the hornets nest in Western Australia.
Good on him.
G’day Maryellen,
Thats interesting - What hornets nest has Prince Charles stirred in WA? I missed that one.
Could you tell us a bit about it?
Cheers - Your Agmate - Steve
G’day Agmates,
Whilst browsing for another link, I found this reference to HRH Prince Charles, which included a paragraph about WA, GM and salinity.
Probably not much help, but I did find a link to the Canadian GM legal battle - The Schmeiser story.
It is 6 year old, and hopefully this disaster has been cleared up, but is still worth a read to show the power of Monsanto. Also mentions Aventis Liberty as a similar herbicide resistant product.
G’day Jeff,
Thanks mate. Yes I saw those comments Charles made back in August - but as I say I’ve missed the
’stirred up the hornets nest in Western Australia.’ referred to by Maryellen.
You have too by the look of it. I actually didn’t see anything much in the mainstream media about it after that.
Perhaps when Maryellen gets a chance she may be able to point us in the right direction on that one. I would really like to follow it up.
Cheers
Steve,
A few months ago Prince Charles criticized the Western Australian Government because of their debate on the GM subject and he copped a lot of flack because of it .
Bob Phelps from Gene ethics may be able to send you the information that you need.
Hi Agmates,
Just came across this in searching for some other information:
“Who Is to Say Flora Don’t Have Feelings? Figuring Out What Wheat Would Want”
It’s in the Wall Street Journal, so I suppose it’s kosher.
And you all thought PETA was dangerously nuts.
PETA isnt nuts just confused.
I thoroughly agree with the comments expressed by Von Curtis.
It is time the Governments heeded the advise of people like Margaret Fullton who is a major campaigner AGAINST GM for Greenpeace.
From the Canberra Times 7/10/08
by David Stockman
It appears that the Chief Minister Jon Stanhope is to allow GM corn to be grown in the ACT.
http://tinyurl.com/3ldblx
Herbicide and antibiotic resistant.
G’day Jeff,
You are a living legend - well done on another great link. I appreciate the work you do bringing relevant information to the Agmates community on these forums. “Onya” mate.
Steve
Where are they going to grow it?
The only place they grow corn in ACT is CSIRO I think. Sounds like more of a boost to the GM industry than a real comment.
Pity help the farmers in the ACT as nobody will be eating their corn, then how will they pay their bills with no money coming in, because they planted garbage.
ATT David Tribe,
I hope you have taken notice of HRH Prince Charles with regard to the growing of GM Canola. As you may be aware he and Margaret Fullton ARE TOTALLY AGAINST GM.
You are a fool to ignore their warnings.
GAOOD ON YOU VON; mothers indeed must speak out against this GM garbage, how do we know that it doesnt cause deformiities in children. Get Margaret Fullton to help you out,she is a GREENPEACE campaigner AGAINST GM food.
G’day Maryellen,
In the interest of Accuracy here and correct me if I’m wrong -
I don’t actually think that the 84 year old national treasure Margaret Fulton and Greenpeace are Campaigning against GM crops - I think they are campaigning for
“Greenpeace in launching a national petition asking for comprehensive labeling and testing of GM food products.”
In fact on their web site they quote Margaret Fulton as saying -
“People have a right to know what they are eating.”
I could be wrong and indeed on the site they are asking for you to donate for a GM-Free Future which seem a contradiction to calling for comprehensive labeling?
Anyway I’m happy for you to correct me on the issue - it’s just if your are going to quote dear sweet old Margaret, I’m sure that she’d not want to be quoted out of context and it appears from the Greenpeace web site she is calling for more comprehensive labeling and testing.
Actually Steve in the interview on Denton’s Enough Rope we watched Margaret Fulton left me in no doubt about her position on GM foods. She hates ‘em.
Nor could she be described as “dear sweet old Margaret”. But rather a force to be reckoned with, having very strong opinions on a number of issues. She had the upper hand in that interview several times….A rare thing with Denton.
A simple google search Margaret Fulton GM foods will further prove this. She’s also a strong climate change activist.
This aside.. its just one womans view, as with Charlie. The only real people to listen too about the benefits or effects (long term) of GM foods are the medical scientists.