AgroPages-Western Australia - Current GM crop systems adequate: inquiry-Agricultural news

A parliamentary inquiry into compensation for non-GM farmers concluded the current law-based system was adequate.Picture: Jo Fulwood

Farmers who plant genetically modified crops can breathe a sigh of relief, after a parliamentary inquiry into compensation for non-GM farmers concluded the current law-based system was adequate.

The Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs tabled its report in WA Legislative Council today, concluding there was insufficient evidence to justify a departure from the common law mechanism for compensation.

Triggered by a FoodWatch WA petition and tabled by Greens MLC Diane Evers, the inquiry looked into compensation mechanisms for GM contamination, starting two years after Kojonup organic farmer Steve Marsh unsuccessfully sued his neighbour Mike Baxter, alleging GM canola contamination.

“While the committee recognised the challenges identified with the common law as a compensation mechanism, the committee concluded that a single case, Marsh v Baxter, was not sufficient to conclude the existing common law compensation mechanism is inadequate to compensate non-GM farmers,” a statement from the Legislative Council said.

The committee, chaired by Labor MLC Matthew Swinbourn, said there was a lack of significant evidence of GM contamination in WA, or evidence presented to the committee of actual economic loss to farmers caused by GM contamination.

There was also a lack of decertification of organic farms or other actions taken by organic certification bodies resulting from GM contamination, other than in the Marsh v Baxter case, and claims under insurance policies providing for cover against GM contamination.

Grain Industry Association of WA chief executive Larissa Taylor welcomed the conclusion of the inquiry.

“GIWA supports market choice of all technologies through the grains value chain in WA, whether conventional, GM or organic,” she said.

“In particular this decision supports WA’s reputation as a world-class provider of plant breeding technology and both non-GM and GM canola.”

The committee received 122 submissions from stakeholders during its inquiry and held 23 public hearings.