[Pil-pc-oceania] GM plea from VICTORIA; please email Bendigo Advertiser

[Deb Guildner]

Re: [Pil-pc-oceania] New permaculture websiteHi All

 

There is a big push to end the moratorium in Victoria and if that happens, even if we retain our moratorium, it is highly likely that SA will suffer contamination.  The Bendigo Advertiser is calling for a response to their editorial on GM. Please respond if you are able, see further info below.

 

Regards

Pola 

SA Genetic Food Information Network

 


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From: Gill Rosier [mailto:grosier at iinet.net.au] 
Sent: Saturday, 17 November 2007 9:08 PM
Subject: GM food an important issue for all

 

Hi, all
I'm forwarding this terrific editorial FYI.  
The Advertiser invites the community to respond to their views. 
Please do so, if you have time. It would also be helpful to seek responses from other rural newspapers on our moratorium.
Kind regards,
Gill


THE ADVERTISER
17 November 2007
GM food an important issue for all
VICTORIANS should be concerned that the Brumby Government is about to end its moratorium on genetically modified food crops.
On the face of it, cultivating canola or cabbages might seem dull and distant to the average person, but genetic modification is a vital issue that could harm us in more ways than one.
State Agriculture Minister Joe Helper who, like John Brumby, has a farm in our region, was last week given a report by an independent panel that reviewed Victoria's ban on GM food crops.
The government appointed the panel after pressure from the federal Agriculture Minister, National Party MP Peter McGauran, and farm groups, who say GM crops would be more resistant to weeds, insects and salinity and would need less water.
Even before the panel held its first meeting, former Premier Steve Bracks had let it be known the crop moratorium would be allowed to expire when it ends on February 29.
Now Mr Helper has said he is discussing its report with colleagues and, no doubt, calculating when to announce a decision that will be unpopular with all but a clutch of blinkered farmers and a couple of huge multinational food companies, which stand to make millions of dollars when the ban ends.
They will eventually control the world's food and, even if Mr Helper ignores the ethical and health issues that GM opponents raise, there are sound commercial reasons for keeping Victoria and Australia GM-free.
It's to be hoped he resists using the cover of the last days of the federal election campaign to announce his decision in the hope of lessening the public outcry it will provoke.
What do you think?
Write a letter to the editor, or e-mail editor at bendigoadvertiser.com.au
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