GM wheat trials win support from AWB

By GREGOR HEARD, national grains writer - Australia, Farm on line

Wednesday, 20 June 2007

Australia’s export wheat marketer, AWB, has lent cautious support to the genetically modified (GM) wheat trials being conducted in Victoria.

AWB previously has been reluctant to endorse any potential GM wheat cultivars in Australia, reflecting concerns about market acceptance of the product...


AWB spokesman, Peter McBride, now says, “AWB supports the development of agricultural biotechnology under controlled conditions because of the potential benefits to farmers and the environment.”

He said the company was supportive of:

• Plans to keep GM and non-GM products separate.

• Need to ensure there is no contamination that could endanger any markets.

• Need to supply non-GM customers with non-GM wheat, even if GM wheat was grown commercially.

Federal Agriculture Minister, Peter McGauran, also has given his blessing to GM wheat trials taking place at Horsham and Mildura in Victoria.

He says research into GM technology is crucial if Australian agriculture is to remain on equal terms with its global competitors.

SOURCE: Extract from grain market news in Rural Press weekly newspapers, June 21, updated daily on FarmOnline.