[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Greens Welcome SA GM Ban Extension

[Parnell]

Media Release
8th February 2008

Greens Welcome SA GM Ban Extension


Greens MLC Mark Parnell has welcomed today's announcement that SA will
maintain the current state moratorium from growing GM canola for another
2 years. 

"Congratulations to the Premier and Minister McEwen: this is a good
decision and the right decision. The Government would have had a fair
bit of pressure from the big end of town to buckle and fall in behind
NSW and Victoria - so, credit where credit's due," said Mark Parnell.

With Victoria and NSW deciding to abandon their GM bans, the issue now
moves to protection for SA farmers, particularly those near the
SA-Victoria border.

"Contamination of SA farms from Victorian GM crops is now a very real
threat. International experience shows that it is impossible to
successfully segregate GM and non-GM crops.  If you allow some farmers
to plant genetically modified crops it will have a huge impact on
neighbouring farms," he said.

Mark Parnell has introduced the Genetically Modified Crops Management
(Right to Damages) Amendment Bill to enable a farmer who suffers damages
as a result of GM plant material contaminating their land to sue the
multi-national agrichemical corporations behind the technology.

"If GM technologies cause damage, we believe farmers should be
compensated. At the moment, if farmers lose their GM-free premium they
just have to cop it sweet. That is scandalous. Why should those who are
pushing GM crops get away scot-free if their unwanted technology jumps
the fence and infects others?

"GM seeds will not respect state borders.  Therefore, the Government
must address the issue of legal liability for farmers if things go
wrong. SA GM-free and organic farmers face the very real risk that their
food crops will be contaminated by GM materials that invade their
property from Victoria.

"In light of today's announcement, I look forward to the Government's
support of my Bill to protect SA farmers," said Mr Parnell.

	
For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893

	
 


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