❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses concerns about GM canola contamination in Canadian seedlots, EU regulations, and the marketability of WA's non-GM canola in Europe. The Minister acknowledges the issues but suggests EU market demand is currently low due to local production.
AnsweredQoN 1195Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CANOLA — OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE
I refer to the paper “Evidence of Contamination of Pedigreed Canola (Brassica Napus) Seedlots in Western Canada with Genetically Engineered Herbicide Resistance Traits” published by the Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba in Canada. (1) Is the minister aware that when Canadian researchers tested samples of certified non-genetically modified canola seed in Canada in 2002, they found that 97 per cent of samples were contaminated with genetically engineered varietals; and that nine per cent of the samples had contamination levels above two per cent? (2) Is the minister aware of the European Union’s adventitious presence threshold of 0.9 per cent GM contamination for all food requiring the labelling of the genetically modified organism contents under article 12 of the “Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed”? (3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
I refer to the paper “Evidence of Contamination of Pedigreed Canola (Brassica Napus) Seedlots in Western Canada with Genetically Engineered Herbicide Resistance Traits” published by the Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba in Canada. (1) Is the minister aware that when Canadian researchers tested samples of certified non-genetically modified canola seed in Canada in 2002, they found that 97 per cent of samples were contaminated with genetically engineered varietals; and that nine per cent of the samples had contamination levels above two per cent? (2) Is the minister aware of the European Union’s adventitious presence threshold of 0.9 per cent GM contamination for all food requiring the labelling of the genetically modified organism contents under article 12 of the “Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed”? (3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(1) Is the minister aware that when Canadian researchers tested samples of certified non-genetically modified canola seed in Canada in 2002, they found that 97 per cent of samples were contaminated with genetically engineered varietals; and that nine per cent of the samples had contamination levels above two per cent? (2) Is the minister aware of the European Union’s adventitious presence threshold of 0.9 per cent GM contamination for all food requiring the labelling of the genetically modified organism contents under article 12 of the “Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed”? (3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(2) Is the minister aware of the European Union’s adventitious presence threshold of 0.9 per cent GM contamination for all food requiring the labelling of the genetically modified organism contents under article 12 of the “Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed”? (3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable.
(1) Is the minister aware that when Canadian researchers tested samples of certified non-genetically modified canola seed in Canada in 2002, they found that 97 per cent of samples were contaminated with genetically engineered varietals; and that nine per cent of the samples had contamination levels above two per cent? (2) Is the minister aware of the European Union’s adventitious presence threshold of 0.9 per cent GM contamination for all food requiring the labelling of the genetically modified organism contents under article 12 of the “Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed”? (3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(2) Is the minister aware of the European Union’s adventitious presence threshold of 0.9 per cent GM contamination for all food requiring the labelling of the genetically modified organism contents under article 12 of the “Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed”? (3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(3) Given that 90 per cent of Western Australia’s canola crop was exported to Europe last year, has the minister considered the marketability of non-GM canola as food and feed on the European market in his deliberation on the growing of GM canola in WA? (4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(4) If yes to (3), what is his response? (5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(5) If no to (3), why not? Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
Hon ROBYN McSWEENEY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The minister has provided the following responses — (1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(1) Yes; the paper the member referred to was aimed at assessing varietal purity, using the herbicide-resistant trait as an indicator of purity. The data indicates that some seed lots did not meet the 99.75 per cent requirement for Canadian seed lots, and that some seed lots were in excess of two per cent for the GM trait. (2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(2)-(3) Yes. (4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(4) The EU market opportunity for Western Australian canola is driven by production in Canada and Europe. Although the EU and Canada have now resolved their World Trade Organisation dispute over GM canola access into the EU, the bumper crop of canola in the EU this year means that it is unlikely that the EU will import significant quantities of either GM or non-GM canola. (5) Not applicable.
(5) Not applicable.
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