FW: Media release Jim Scott and Dee Margetts 27-06-02

[The Greens (WA)]

** ---------------------
** You are subscribed to 'GREENS-MEDIA' list as: chris at sw.oz.au
** Maillist Home Page: http://www.altnews.com.au/Greens/
** ---------------------




-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Park [mailto:rpark at mp.wa.gov.au]
Sent: Friday, 28 June 2002 11:27 AM
To: The Greens (WA)
Subject: Media release Jim Scott and Dee Margetts 27-06-02



Dee Margetts MLC
& Jim Scott MLC

Media Release
Thursday 27 June 2002

More GE work needed: Greens

The Greens (WA) have today responded to the State Government’s release of a
document on GE-free zones by urging the government to take up its own
recommendation of further public consultation prior to commercial release of
any GE crops in WA.

Responding to “Genetic Modification-Free Zones Summary of Submissions” which
was released as a result of a question to parliament yesterday by Dee
Margetts MLC, Ms Margetts said the paper only proves what the Greens have
been saying all along – that there is not enough unbiased information
available to the community about GE and not enough research had been done in
this state to open it up for commercial growing.

“What this paper is saying is that we need adequate, balanced and
comprehensive research on the benefits of remaining a state free from
genetic engineered produce. There are some very real concerns by farmers,
the community and environmental groups that issues such as identity
preservation, contamination and liability have not been adequately
addressed,” Ms Margetts said.

With the Federal Office of the Gene Technology Regulator soon to assess
applications by Monsanto, CSIRO and the Department of Agriculture for
commercial release of Bt cotton and canola in Western Australia, the Greens
say that the government must present a case to the regulator identifying
that no commercial crops should be approved in WA until issues identified in
the paper have been addressed. Due to the narrow scope of the Federal
Legislation, the case can only be argued on marketing grounds despite the
OGTR being set up to look after human health and environmental issues.

Greens MLC Jim Scott said that the Gene Technology Regulator should not
process applications from Monsanto, CSIRO and the department of Agriculture
to grow commercial GE crops in WA until the State GE legislation was
enacted.

“The applications clearly undermine the democratic process underway in WA,”
he said.

Monsanto is the same company that sued Canadian farmer, Percy Schmeiser, for
having GE crops on his land despite the fact that he never planted them
himself. Mr Schmeiser will speak at a public lecture in York on July 10.
---------------------------
Rebecca Park
Electorate Officer
-Office of Dee Margetts MLC
Phone 08 93221384 or 1800 221384
Fax 08 93225575
PO Box 1622 West Perth WA  6872
-Office of Robin Chapple MLC
Phone 08 93241424 or 1800 441424
Fax 08 93211371
PO Box 1598 West Perth WA  6872




** ---------------------
** Opt-in Maillists and On-Line Conference Forums at URI:
** http://us.altnews.com.au/w-agora/
** ---------------------
** Hosted by Alternative News Network, Cairns, Australia