❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the prevalence of genetically modified canola, its management, and potential impacts on non-GM crops and markets. The Minister provides answers indicating existing regulatory oversight and industry practices are sufficient.
AnsweredQoN 847Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY
MODIFIED CANOLA — SPILL CLEAN-UP
847. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I draw the minister's attention to the response from
the Minister for Transport to question without notice 779.
(1) Has the
Minister for Agriculture and Food received the Conservation Council of Western
Australia's study, ''A survey of roadside fugitive GM (roundup
ready) canola plants at Williams, Western Australia''?
(2) (a) Will the
minister investigate why such a high proportion—62 per cent—of
the roadside fugitive canola near Williams is genetically modified canola;
(b) if yes, when, given the urgency
of cleaning up this infestation; and
(c) if no to (1), why not?
(3) Is GM canola
resistant to glyphosate; and, if so, should Main Roads Western Australia or
local government be using this herbicide on road verges with fugitive canola?
(4) What steps
will the minister now take to ensure the segregation of GM and non-GM crops in
the Williams area and to protect the Japanese non-GM market?
(5) Will the
minister institute a strategy to manage the biosecurity risks associated with
the road transport of GM canola?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
MODIFIED CANOLA — SPILL CLEAN-UP
847. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister representing the
Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I draw the minister's attention to the response from
the Minister for Transport to question without notice 779.
(1) Has the
Minister for Agriculture and Food received the Conservation Council of Western
Australia's study, ''A survey of roadside fugitive GM (roundup
ready) canola plants at Williams, Western Australia''?
(2) (a) Will the
minister investigate why such a high proportion—62 per cent—of
the roadside fugitive canola near Williams is genetically modified canola;
(b) if yes, when, given the urgency
of cleaning up this infestation; and
(c) if no to (1), why not?
(3) Is GM canola
resistant to glyphosate; and, if so, should Main Roads Western Australia or
local government be using this herbicide on road verges with fugitive canola?
(4) What steps
will the minister now take to ensure the segregation of GM and non-GM crops in
the Williams area and to protect the Japanese non-GM market?
(5) Will the
minister institute a strategy to manage the biosecurity risks associated with
the road transport of GM canola?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Yes.
(2) (a) No.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator has approved the commercial release of GM
canola and determined that it is not harmful to human health, safety and the
environment. Growers in the area will still be able to deliver non-GM canola
that meets market specifications.
(3) Roundup
Ready GM canola is tolerant to glyphosate. The Department of Agriculture and
Food Western Australia, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the
Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group all recommend that weed
managers, including local governments, do not rely solely on glyphosate to
control weeds. Instead, weed managers should adopt integrated weed management
practices such as rotation of herbicides and mechanical weed control to
minimise the risk of development of herbicide-resistant weeds.
(4) Since the
commercial release of GM canola in 2010, the Western Australian grains industry
has demonstrated that the industry can effectively segregate non-GM canola from
GM canola and provide market choice to customers, including non-GM customers.
(5) No.
(6) Please refer to (2)(c).
question.
(1) Yes.
(2) (a) No.
(b) Not applicable.
(c) The Office
of the Gene Technology Regulator has approved the commercial release of GM
canola and determined that it is not harmful to human health, safety and the
environment. Growers in the area will still be able to deliver non-GM canola
that meets market specifications.
(3) Roundup
Ready GM canola is tolerant to glyphosate. The Department of Agriculture and
Food Western Australia, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the
Australian Glyphosate Sustainability Working Group all recommend that weed
managers, including local governments, do not rely solely on glyphosate to
control weeds. Instead, weed managers should adopt integrated weed management
practices such as rotation of herbicides and mechanical weed control to
minimise the risk of development of herbicide-resistant weeds.
(4) Since the
commercial release of GM canola in 2010, the Western Australian grains industry
has demonstrated that the industry can effectively segregate non-GM canola from
GM canola and provide market choice to customers, including non-GM customers.
(5) No.
(6) Please refer to (2)(c).
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