❓ Premier Carpenter addresses consumer concerns about genetically modified (GM) foods, highlighting the government's commitment to informed consumer choice and the economic importance of non-GM exports to Japan. He notes public concern and the lack of industry uptake for GM canola trials.
AnsweredQoN 283Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS — CONSUMER CONCERNS 283. Mr B.S. WYATT to the Premier: Can the Premier advise the house how the government is responding to consumer concerns about genetically modified foods? Mr A.J. CARPENTER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS — CONSUMER CONCERNS
Can the Premier advise the house how the government is responding to consumer concerns about genetically modified foods? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS — CONSUMER CONCERNS
Can the Premier advise the house how the government is responding to consumer concerns about genetically modified foods? Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER replied: I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
I thank the member for Victoria Park for the question and congratulate him on his interest in this matter. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery of representatives of Japanese consumer organisations who are highly concerned about this issue of genetically modified food products. They will be interested to know that there is a very deep division politically in Western Australia about this matter. We believe that the issue of genetically modified food — Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order, members! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : On this side, the state government of Western Australia believes that the issue of genetically modified foods is a very serious issue, and must be treated seriously and maturely and addressed properly. For example, I was somewhat short of astonished but highly surprised to discover, when I was informed by the Minister for Agriculture and Food, who is in the gallery with the representatives of the Japanese consumer groups, that there are already significant amounts of genetically modified material in foods on our supermarket shelves without labelling. Irrespective of a person’s individual attitude towards genetically modified foods, I believe that every single consumer should have the right to know whether he or she is eating genetically modified foods. They should have the right to know—we should have, I should have and you should have, Mr Speaker. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : Therein lies the problem of a massive number of interjections across the chamber that mean absolutely nothing and add nothing to the debate. All they do is hold up proceedings. Members on both sides of the house who offend on a regular basis are the culprits in this. Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : The people in the public gallery represent the three million Japanese members of their consumers’ union who are concerned about this issue. They are in Western Australia this week to talk to government and farmers about Japan’s very clear preference for green, non-genetically modified food imports. This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
This is a significant economic issue. Japan is WA’s largest customer of canola, buying roughly $70 million in 2006-07, and WA’s largest market for cereal crops—barley, oats and wheat—which was valued at about $480 million in 2006-07. Has anybody contemplated what might happen if the Japanese decided that they did not want genetically modified food crops from Western Australia and stopped buying from that market? Western Australia exports 90 per cent of its agriculture production to overseas markets such as Japan. Why would we want to put the Japanese and other important markets at risk by growing unproved, untested and unwanted GM crops? The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The Minister for Agriculture and Food today accepted 5 000 postcard petitions—I have a small sample of those 5 000 petitions here—from the Conservation Council opposing GM crops in WA and calling for better labelling. This is in addition to a similar petition presented to the Parliament last year that contained 15 000 signatures. It is another clear sign that the community has grave concerns about GM crops. Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Interestingly, there was an interjection about trials for canola. The Minister for Agriculture and Food informs me that the WA government approved trials for GM canola. What happened, of course, was that nobody took up the option. Did GM producers or providers of canola seeds want any observation of the outcome of such trials? No, they did not, and so the trials could not go ahead. These were independent observations. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : Order, member for Moore and member for Roe! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : We shall see. The member should take up the matter with the GM companies. The GM companies want trials to take place only if they are the only people to observe and assess those outcomes. I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
I am very comfortable with our position on GM foods and crops in Western Australia. I hope that I can provide reassurance to our Japanese customers and our friends from Japan who are here today that whilst we are in government we will take this issue as seriously as it deserves to be taken. Nobody should have to eat GM foods if he chooses not to — Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr T. Buswell : We already eat it! Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
Mr A.J. CARPENTER : — without the knowledge that he can obtain through correct labelling. I thank the people from Japan who are here today for their commitment to this issue. They have travelled thousands and thousands of kilometres to alert the Western Australian government and producers to the issue and to their concerns. The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
The SPEAKER : I call to order the members for Roe, Moore and Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition.
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