[Greens-Media] PARNELL: Greens Bill to Protect Farmers from GM Crops Contamination

[Taylor, Sam]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE       Thursday 29th May 2014
Greens Bill to Protect Farmers from GM Crops Contamination

Greens MLC Mark Parnell will introduce a Private Members Bill into the SA Upper House next week to protect South Australian farmers from losses caused by contamination from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The need for this Bill is highlighted by the decision yesterday of the WA Supreme Court, which found that a GM farmer was not liable for escaping genetically-modified canola, even if it results in economic loss to neighbours.

In WA, organic farmer Stephen Marsh sued his neighbour for economic loss as a result of losing his organic certification following contamination of 70 percent of his land with GM canola blowing across from his neighbour's farm.

"What a terrible situation, farmer having to sue farmer. My legislation tries to avoid the situation that Mr Marsh faced, where his only avenue for justice is to go to the courts and to sue his neighbour," Mr Parnell said.

"The Greens strongly support the continuation of the moratorium on GM crops in SA, but contamination from over the border is a certainty and escapes from so-called "trial crops" in SA is also likely.  This is why SA farmers need legal protection.  The buck should stop with the big multi-national companies that profit most from GM crops.

"The Greens Bill, the Genetically Modified Crops Management (Right to Damages) Amendment Bill 2014, will enable a person who suffers damages as a result of genetically modified plant material contaminating their land to sue companies who own and sell the technology.  This includes Monsanto and Bayer CropScience.

"Our farmers have a right to some level of security and protection, and a right to compensation if they are invaded by GM crops escaping from elsewhere.

"My Bill will place the responsibility on the big multinational companies which push this technology to make sure there is no contamination of neighbouring farms, by hitting them hard when things go wrong," said Mr Parnell.


For further information contact Mark Parnell: 0439 215 937

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