❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses GMO contamination in canola, focusing on testing delays, contamination levels, price differences, compensation, and government contributions to testing costs. The response clarifies testing protocols, contamination thresholds, and compensation responsibilities.
AnsweredQoN 1103Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CANOLA — NON-GM PRODUCT CONTAMINATION
(1) Regarding the delivery of non-genetically modified grain by farmers — (a) what length of delay is there between delivery and testing of the grain for GMO contamination; (b) if GMO contamination is found, what level of contamination — (i) renders the grain unable to be sold as a non-GM product, (ii) causes the grain to be rejected by Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd; (c) what is the difference in price per tonne between GM canola and non-GM canola; and (d) if the silo is found to be contaminated with GMOs, what process is in place to compensate farmers of non-GM grain delivered to the silo for any economic loss? (2) Regarding testing of non-GM canola for GM canola contamination prior to delivery — (a) what tests are available for use by farmers to identify whether GM contamination has occurred; (b) what is the accuracy of the tests; (c) what is the cost of the tests; (d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
(1) Regarding the delivery of non-genetically modified grain by farmers — (a) what length of delay is there between delivery and testing of the grain for GMO contamination; (b) if GMO contamination is found, what level of contamination — (i) renders the grain unable to be sold as a non-GM product, (ii) causes the grain to be rejected by Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd; (c) what is the difference in price per tonne between GM canola and non-GM canola; and (d) if the silo is found to be contaminated with GMOs, what process is in place to compensate farmers of non-GM grain delivered to the silo for any economic loss? (2) Regarding testing of non-GM canola for GM canola contamination prior to delivery — (a) what tests are available for use by farmers to identify whether GM contamination has occurred; (b) what is the accuracy of the tests; (c) what is the cost of the tests; (d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) (a) Non-GM canola delivered by farmers also growing GM canola is sampled and tested for any GM immediately on delivery and prior to discharge. A sample is retained for any future testing. (b) (i)-(ii) Canola with greater than 0.9 per cent adventitious presence will be considered as GM under national testing protocols. Above this level it is placed with GM grain. No grain exceeding this level is rejected as it is incorporated with GM grain. (c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer. (2) (a) Farmers can use lateral flow strip kits to determine if plants or seeds are genetically modified. The intended use of the kits is the qualitative—yes/no—determination of a protein specific to the traits concerned. The Department of Agriculture and Food is close to finalising a laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction test to detect quantitatively the presence of GM traits in canola seed. It is expected that farmers will be able to submit samples for testing to the department. (b) The lateral flow strip tests can detect one Roundup Ready seed or leaf in up to 100 samples. The laboratory-based PCR test is likely to be able to detect one seed or leaf in 1 500 samples. (c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(b) if GMO contamination is found, what level of contamination — (i) renders the grain unable to be sold as a non-GM product, (ii) causes the grain to be rejected by Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd; (c) what is the difference in price per tonne between GM canola and non-GM canola; and (d) if the silo is found to be contaminated with GMOs, what process is in place to compensate farmers of non-GM grain delivered to the silo for any economic loss?
(ii) causes the grain to be rejected by Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd;
(d) if the silo is found to be contaminated with GMOs, what process is in place to compensate farmers of non-GM grain delivered to the silo for any economic loss?
(b) what is the accuracy of the tests; (c) what is the cost of the tests; (d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(c) what is the cost of the tests; (d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) (a) Non-GM canola delivered by farmers also growing GM canola is sampled and tested for any GM immediately on delivery and prior to discharge. A sample is retained for any future testing. (b) (i)-(ii) Canola with greater than 0.9 per cent adventitious presence will be considered as GM under national testing protocols. Above this level it is placed with GM grain. No grain exceeding this level is rejected as it is incorporated with GM grain. (c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer. (2) (a) Farmers can use lateral flow strip kits to determine if plants or seeds are genetically modified. The intended use of the kits is the qualitative—yes/no—determination of a protein specific to the traits concerned. The Department of Agriculture and Food is close to finalising a laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction test to detect quantitatively the presence of GM traits in canola seed. It is expected that farmers will be able to submit samples for testing to the department. (b) The lateral flow strip tests can detect one Roundup Ready seed or leaf in up to 100 samples. The laboratory-based PCR test is likely to be able to detect one seed or leaf in 1 500 samples. (c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(1) (a) Non-GM canola delivered by farmers also growing GM canola is sampled and tested for any GM immediately on delivery and prior to discharge. A sample is retained for any future testing. (b) (i)-(ii) Canola with greater than 0.9 per cent adventitious presence will be considered as GM under national testing protocols. Above this level it is placed with GM grain. No grain exceeding this level is rejected as it is incorporated with GM grain. (c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer. (2) (a) Farmers can use lateral flow strip kits to determine if plants or seeds are genetically modified. The intended use of the kits is the qualitative—yes/no—determination of a protein specific to the traits concerned. The Department of Agriculture and Food is close to finalising a laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction test to detect quantitatively the presence of GM traits in canola seed. It is expected that farmers will be able to submit samples for testing to the department. (b) The lateral flow strip tests can detect one Roundup Ready seed or leaf in up to 100 samples. The laboratory-based PCR test is likely to be able to detect one seed or leaf in 1 500 samples. (c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer.
(d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer.
(c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(b) if GMO contamination is found, what level of contamination — (i) renders the grain unable to be sold as a non-GM product, (ii) causes the grain to be rejected by Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd; (c) what is the difference in price per tonne between GM canola and non-GM canola; and (d) if the silo is found to be contaminated with GMOs, what process is in place to compensate farmers of non-GM grain delivered to the silo for any economic loss?
(ii) causes the grain to be rejected by Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd;
(d) if the silo is found to be contaminated with GMOs, what process is in place to compensate farmers of non-GM grain delivered to the silo for any economic loss?
(b) what is the accuracy of the tests; (c) what is the cost of the tests; (d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(c) what is the cost of the tests; (d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(d) what contribution, if any, will the government make towards the cost of testing; (e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(e) if GM contamination is found to have occurred, what process is in place to compensate the farmer for economic loss — (i) relating to reduced sale price, and (ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
(ii) relating to delivery contract terms providing for the farmer to indemnify CBH in the event of contamination?
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) (a) Non-GM canola delivered by farmers also growing GM canola is sampled and tested for any GM immediately on delivery and prior to discharge. A sample is retained for any future testing. (b) (i)-(ii) Canola with greater than 0.9 per cent adventitious presence will be considered as GM under national testing protocols. Above this level it is placed with GM grain. No grain exceeding this level is rejected as it is incorporated with GM grain. (c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer. (2) (a) Farmers can use lateral flow strip kits to determine if plants or seeds are genetically modified. The intended use of the kits is the qualitative—yes/no—determination of a protein specific to the traits concerned. The Department of Agriculture and Food is close to finalising a laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction test to detect quantitatively the presence of GM traits in canola seed. It is expected that farmers will be able to submit samples for testing to the department. (b) The lateral flow strip tests can detect one Roundup Ready seed or leaf in up to 100 samples. The laboratory-based PCR test is likely to be able to detect one seed or leaf in 1 500 samples. (c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(1) (a) Non-GM canola delivered by farmers also growing GM canola is sampled and tested for any GM immediately on delivery and prior to discharge. A sample is retained for any future testing. (b) (i)-(ii) Canola with greater than 0.9 per cent adventitious presence will be considered as GM under national testing protocols. Above this level it is placed with GM grain. No grain exceeding this level is rejected as it is incorporated with GM grain. (c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer. (2) (a) Farmers can use lateral flow strip kits to determine if plants or seeds are genetically modified. The intended use of the kits is the qualitative—yes/no—determination of a protein specific to the traits concerned. The Department of Agriculture and Food is close to finalising a laboratory-based polymerase chain reaction test to detect quantitatively the presence of GM traits in canola seed. It is expected that farmers will be able to submit samples for testing to the department. (b) The lateral flow strip tests can detect one Roundup Ready seed or leaf in up to 100 samples. The laboratory-based PCR test is likely to be able to detect one seed or leaf in 1 500 samples. (c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(c) It is not possible to speculate on what the price for GM and non-GM canola will be until the grain is sold. (d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer.
(d) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for the delivering of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling and the GM canola farmer.
(c) Tests vary in cost depending upon the volume of tests purchased. Using the 100-test kit costs approximately $7 per test. The laboratory test cost has not yet been determined. (d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(d) The department is contributing to the cost of developing the laboratory-based testing capability. (e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
(e) (i-ii) Decision on any compensation is between the parties to the contract for delivery of GM canola, which in 2009-10 will be Grain Pool Pty Ltd, Co-operative Bulk Handling Ltd and the GM canola farmer.
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