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.
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