Wheat Board snuffs GM canola trial
Daily Telegraph(Australia), April 1, 2004

The NSW Government has ruled out a 3000 hectare trial of genetically modified canola after strong opposition from the Australian Wheat Board (AWB).
NSW Agricultural Minister Ian Macdonald said three small research trials for GM canola would go ahead to test different varieties of GM canola plants against traditional canola.
Today's announcement dashes the hopes of agri-business giant Monsanto, Bayer CropScience and Australian Oilseeds Federation, which had hoped to trial the 3000 hectares of GM canola this year.
Western Australia and Tasmania have both banned GM crops, while Victoria last week extended its moratorium on the technology by four years.
Mr Macdonald said he had decided not to proceed with the 3000 hectare trial at this time because of concerns raised by AWB Ltd, one of the main stakeholders, which voiced concern about the possibility of exporting the crop.
"If one takes into account the fact that the AWB is the largest grain exporter by a significant factor ... we have to be very careful that we don't upset their markets.
"Hopefully, the AWB and the other grains organisations and the proponents can consider the issues in the future and if they can find some unity then a proposal could be put forward some time in the future."
AAP

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