[pf] Conventional & organic farmers' legal defense against GM crops

· This contains:
   “With commercial applications for the release of the first genetically 
modified canola crops now being assessed, some farmers fear that contamination 
of conventional crops may ruin their businesses.
   .. organic farmers [say] "We won't stand in the way of proper controlled GM 
if they don't contaminate our crops," Scott Kinnear from the Biological Farmers 
of Australia said.
   "But we have legal advice that contamination is actionable under negligence, 
trespass and nuisance. We are prepared for legal action at the first sign of 
contamination."
   [The Australian Government research organisation] CSIRO is undertaking one 
of the first studies of its kind into the possible side-effects and 
environmental threats posed by GM crops. One of those is the transport of GMOs 
by bees from GM crops to conventional ones.”

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http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,4579138%5E3163,00.html
  is Australian Telegraph's:

Farmers may sue over GM crops 
  By SIMON BENSON Environment Reporter ; 26jun02

A LEGAL war between farmers is brewing in rural NSW [New South Wales, 
Australia] over the possible release of genetically modified canola crops as 
early as next year. 

A team of lawyers has been assembled on behalf of organic farmers who have 
threatened to sue any GM farmer who contaminates their crops.
"We won't stand in the way of proper controlled GM if they don't contaminate 
our crops," Scott Kinnear from the Biological Farmers of Australia said.

"But we have legal advice that contamination is actionable under negligence, 
trespass and nuisance. We are prepared for legal action at the first sign of 
contamination.

"And we have a team of lawyers prepared to run cases on a pro-bono basis."

With commercial applications for the release of the first genetically modified 
canola crops now being assessed, some farmers fear that contamination of 
conventional crops may ruin their businesses.

Many producers rely on their ability to claim they can provide GM-free crops to 
customers, especially in Europe and some parts of Asia which have rejected GM 
produce.

Honeybee producers and packers also have been forced to take the extraordinary 
step of supplying signed forms to their customers certifying that their bees 
have not knowingly been placed in or near a GM crop.

There is evidence now that bees pollinating a GM crop – for example, canola – 
could carry the GMO (genetically modified organism) into the final honey 
product.

"By and large we will try and deliver on GM-free produce," Australian Honeybee 
Industry Council executive director Steve Ware said.

"But if you put bees down somewhere and you find out later that they come down 
on GM crops, what can you do?

"You don't find the GMO in the honey, it is in the pollen in the honey and it 
would only be minor contamination. But those issues are of concern. We are 
between a rock and a hard place."

Almond farmers, who rely on bees for pollination, also are concerned about 
contamination.

The CSIRO is undertaking one of the first studies of its kind into the possible 
side-effects and environmental threats posed by GM crops. One of those is the 
transport of GMOs by bees from GM crops to conventional ones.

"Gene technologies have the potential to improve our health, create safer 
foods, generate prosperity and enhance ecological sustainability, but there are 
community concerns about possible unwanted impacts," the CSIRO said.

"They may also carry some risk of unwanted side effects on both production 
systems and on the environment."

The CSIRO's division of entomology is undertaking a risk assessment to ensure 
that a strict set of guidelines are in place for governments to ensure that 
negative impact issues, such as GM contamination of conventional crops, are 
minimised.


© Mirror Australian Telegraph Publications
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sent to Positive Futures by David.
(David MacClement) d1v9d @ bigfoot.com [remove spaces]
http://davd.tripod.ca/ http://csf.colorado.edu/mail/pfvs/2002I/msg00169.html


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