A parliamentary question regarding the non-renewal of a cotton proposal MOU in the Kimberley region, focusing on the potential for genetically modified cotton development and community concerns. The Minister's response indicates a shift towards broader stakeholder engagement and consideration of all agricultural options.

AnsweredQoN 620Legislative Council
Asked
20 August 2004
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the minister’s statement on Wednesday, 11 August 2004, and his further comment on the ABC on Friday, 13 August, about the non-renewal of Western Agricultural Industries’ cotton proposal memorandum of understanding. (1) Why was the MOU not renewed? (2) Does the enormous agricultural potential of the Kimberley still include genetically modified cotton? (3) If yes to (2), why and in which local government areas? (4) If no to (2), does this mean that the Government will preclude the development of cotton crops in various local government authority areas? (5) If yes to (4), which ones? (6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(1) Why was the MOU not renewed? (2) Does the enormous agricultural potential of the Kimberley still include genetically modified cotton? (3) If yes to (2), why and in which local government areas? (4) If no to (2), does this mean that the Government will preclude the development of cotton crops in various local government authority areas? (5) If yes to (4), which ones? (6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(2) Does the enormous agricultural potential of the Kimberley still include genetically modified cotton? (3) If yes to (2), why and in which local government areas? (4) If no to (2), does this mean that the Government will preclude the development of cotton crops in various local government authority areas? (5) If yes to (4), which ones? (6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(3) If yes to (2), why and in which local government areas? (4) If no to (2), does this mean that the Government will preclude the development of cotton crops in various local government authority areas? (5) If yes to (4), which ones? (6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(4) If no to (2), does this mean that the Government will preclude the development of cotton crops in various local government authority areas? (5) If yes to (4), which ones? (6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(5) If yes to (4), which ones? (6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(6) If no to (4), why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
I thank the honourable member for the question. (1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(1) It was clear to the Government that community concerns regarding large-scale development of genetically modified cotton could not be resolved by continuing with the memorandum of understanding. The Government decided that a new way forward was required, that investigated all options for agriculture, including GM cotton, involving much closer engagement with all stakeholders in the west Kimberley to identify what industries they wanted to see developed in their region. (2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(2) It would be inadvisable to pre-empt the outcome of the new process. (3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(3) A development proposed by Western Agriculture Industries is not on the horizon for the west Kimberley. At this stage, GM cotton is still considered as a crop option for the Ord stage II development due to its potential economic value and low pesticide requirements. The Government will consult further with stakeholders in the east Kimberley regarding their views on options for agricultural development under the Ord stage II proposal. At this stage, no development options should be precluded. (4)-(6) Not applicable.
(4)-(6) Not applicable.

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