Generically Manipulated Optimism: fast track for GMOs

At the international level, Australia should immediately sign and implement the Biosafety Protocol, negotiated in January under the Convention on Biological Diversity. It sets rules in an attempt to ensure that handling, transfer and use of genetically engineered organisms between countries is safe.

Some groups, including the National Farmers Federation, oppose Australia signing the treaty, claiming that it offers scope for other countries to raise non-tariff barriers to trade. But the protocol is consistent with World Trade Organization rules on scientific assessment and enshrines the precautionary principle already in many laws. Australia can only reduce international biosafety by signing the Protocol.

Genetic engineering is a potentially dangerous technology. There should be a five-year freeze on release of GE organisms during which proper safety assessments can be made, tough laws are enacted and the public decides whether or not we need GE.

The campaign for a five-year freeze and "GE-free zones" is gathering momentum. Tasmania has a one-year freeze on all releases and its laws declare GE organisms as pests. Western Australia has a two-year freeeze on commercial releases.

Many influential leaders and groups support a freeze, including Berri CEO Doug Shears, nutritionist Rosemary Stanton and ACF President Peter Garrett. Fifty-five percent of 800 farmers recently surveyed favour a five-year freeze and National Farmers Federation President Ian Donges favours a two to three-year pause.

Many local councils and shires have declared their food services or territory GE-free. The Victorian Agriculture Minister proposes GE-free zones to ensure that organic and other farmers can choose to be GE-free.

You can contribute to this worthwhile campaign by asking your local council to become GE-free and commit to a minimum five-year freeze on: release into the environment of GE crops, microbes or animals for research or commercial purposes; imports of genetically engineered foods and GE organisms and; patents on living organisms.

GE foods are being promoted on many levels, with the world's most powerful corporations attempting to control the entire chain of food production from paddock to plate.

These companies are the major winners from the development of GE crops and foods, and they will profit at the expense of human health, the environment and the fairness of our society.

More Biotechnology Australia forums are scheduled for regional Australia and it is very important that concerned people attend to question the speakers and have a say. The forum panels consist only of proponents of gene technology.

Details of these meetings can be obtained from Biotechnology Australia’s Manager of Public Awareness, GPO Box 9839, Canberra 2601, Phone: 02 6213 6805.