The trials were sneakily announced by WA Agriculture Minister Terry Redman on 23 December. However, on 10 April a motion by the Greens to disallow the trials passed in the Upper House. Despite this result, Terry Redman has made a mockery of the democratic process by putting in a new exemption order to allow the trials. This time he made the announcement the day before Easter!
Ignoring the strong opposition to GE crops amongst both consumers and farmers, the Minister has chosen to pander to the interests of the biotechnology elite.
The trials now look set to go ahead, despite there being no legal framework in place to protect non-GE growers from any contamination caused by the trails.
However, the Minister has stated that he does not intend to allow trial cultivations of GE crops in a local government district that he knows has declared itself GE free. So, if you live in WA, now’s a great time to get your shire to go GE-free!
There are now at least 13 GE free shires in WA. These include the City Of Fremantle, Manjimup, Boyup Brook, Wagin, Wandering, Toodyay, Woodanilling, Goomalling, Williams, Plantagenet, Carnamah, Tammin and Serpentine-Jarrahdale. Please ensure that your shire is added to the list!
What you can do
Make your shire a GE-free zone! GeneEthics have a resource kit on how to make your council GE free on their website, as well as GE free zone posters and petitions. For a list of WA councillors and for more advice contact Janet Grogan: jan60gro@yahoo.com