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Europe, Japan to cancel grain contracts with
Australia due to GMO contamination
Ethan A. Huff
Natural News
Jan 3, 2011
Australia is playing with fire by relaxing its standards on genetically-modified organisms (GMO).
According to a recent report in The Australian, both Europe and Japan may cancel their non-GMO
grain contracts with Australian growers because of GM contamination, including the recent case
of Steve Marsh who lost his organic certification due to GM canola invading his fields.
GMOs are not very prevalent in Australia, and in some Australian states they are still outlawed.
But in other regions, political pressure has given way to increased GMO plantings, which
threatens Australia’s unique position as an exporter of non-GMOs, particularly canola.
And if things keep going in the current direction, Australia could lose its position in
the non-GM trade market.
The cease trade warnings from at least four European importers and two Japanese
importers were prompted after it was determined that a GM canola field in
Western Australia (WA) had contaminated more than 540 acres of a nearby organic
wheat farm (http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/co…).
And current West Australia Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman,
is allegedly pushing to lower Australian organic standards in response,
which only adds fuel to the fire.
“European consumers remain resolutely opposed to genetically modified crops,
and as European importers we must remain responsive to the needs of our customers,”
explained a letter from the European importers obtained by The Australian.
In other words, if Australian leaders fail to crack down on the GMO takeover,
the integrity of the entire non-GM industry is at stake.
Europe, Japan to cancel grain contracts with Australia due to GMO contamination
However, non-GM and organic growers like Marsh are beginning to take control
and fight back against the agri-giants that are destroying their livelihood.
Several groups, including the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture
and the Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF), have indicated that if
non-GM growers successfully win legal cases against the likes of Monsanto,
a whole new precedent will be set.
“The GM farmer should be worried because they are ultimately liable and this
is an avenue where the non-GM farmer can say right we’ll follow this example
and we’ll do the same and it could be a class action if you’re not sure who
causes it,” explained Julie Newman from NCF to Australian reporters,
in reference to contamination lawsuits against GM growers.
Australia due to GMO contamination
Ethan A. Huff
Natural News
Jan 3, 2011
Australia is playing with fire by relaxing its standards on genetically-modified organisms (GMO).
According to a recent report in The Australian, both Europe and Japan may cancel their non-GMO
grain contracts with Australian growers because of GM contamination, including the recent case
of Steve Marsh who lost his organic certification due to GM canola invading his fields.
GMOs are not very prevalent in Australia, and in some Australian states they are still outlawed.
But in other regions, political pressure has given way to increased GMO plantings, which
threatens Australia’s unique position as an exporter of non-GMOs, particularly canola.
And if things keep going in the current direction, Australia could lose its position in
the non-GM trade market.
The cease trade warnings from at least four European importers and two Japanese
importers were prompted after it was determined that a GM canola field in
Western Australia (WA) had contaminated more than 540 acres of a nearby organic
wheat farm (http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/co…).
And current West Australia Minister for Agriculture and Food, Terry Redman,
is allegedly pushing to lower Australian organic standards in response,
which only adds fuel to the fire.
“European consumers remain resolutely opposed to genetically modified crops,
and as European importers we must remain responsive to the needs of our customers,”
explained a letter from the European importers obtained by The Australian.
In other words, if Australian leaders fail to crack down on the GMO takeover,
the integrity of the entire non-GM industry is at stake.
Europe, Japan to cancel grain contracts with Australia due to GMO contamination
However, non-GM and organic growers like Marsh are beginning to take control
and fight back against the agri-giants that are destroying their livelihood.
Several groups, including the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture
and the Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF), have indicated that if
non-GM growers successfully win legal cases against the likes of Monsanto,
a whole new precedent will be set.
“The GM farmer should be worried because they are ultimately liable and this
is an avenue where the non-GM farmer can say right we’ll follow this example
and we’ll do the same and it could be a class action if you’re not sure who
causes it,” explained Julie Newman from NCF to Australian reporters,
in reference to contamination lawsuits against GM growers.
