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Monsanto suspends GM canola programs in Australia
Sydney, Australia
May 12, 2004

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald via Checkbiotech.org

Agribusiness giant Monsanto has pulled the plug on its genetically modified (GM) canola breeding programs in Australia following a series of state moratoriums on the practice.

Monsanto's spokesman Mark Buckingham has confirmed investment in the canola programs will be suspended.

"We have made a business decision to suspend our investment in Roundup Ready canola in 2004," he told AAP.

"We have done that because of the patchwork of different regulations across the states that have created an environment of commercial uncertainty."

Mr Buckingham said Monsanto would now divert canola investment into other business opportunities in the region where there was a higher degree of certainty.

But he said the situation would be reviewed in 2005 and could change if there was a "significant change" in the environment across the states in the future.

"We will review the position but there would need to be a significant change in that environment of uncertainty across the states for us to proceed next year," he said.

"Our concern is around the moratoriums. The imposition of inconsistent and restrictive trial conditions between states and the delay in trial approvals."

The suspension follows a NSW government ban on a 3,000 hectare trial of GM canola last month.

It allowed three smaller research trials to test different varieties of the crop against conventional canola.

Western Australia and Tasmania have both banned GM crops, while Victoria extended its moratorium in April on the technology by four years.

South Australia also has a moratorium in place.

Copyright © 2004. The Sydney Morning Herald

The Sydney Morning Herald via Checkbiotech.org

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