BENDIGO Council has upheld its defiant rejection of the State Government’s support for genetically modified crops.
At a forum on the weekend, the risks posed by GM crops to the emerging local organic farming sector were highlighted.
Both Federal and State governments have now approved GM canola to be grown, with the federal regulator clearing it of health risks and the State Government lifting a statewide moratorium in February.
Growers are hoping to benefit from GM canola’s promoted advantages of higher yields and lower pesticide use.
But anti-GM groups and central Victorian organic growers insist an exemption should be made for this region to keep it GM-free, so its marketing reputation is kept intact and there are no risks of cross-contamination.
The forum, which drew about 30 participants, also stressed the need for improved GM-food labelling and the impact on organic businesses of patented crops and liability issues.