Published by Helen on 28th March 2010
A FARMING family from Mukinbudin said the majority of farmers are against the introduction of genetically modified (GM) technology in WA, despite its legalisation last month.
State Minister for Agriculture Terry Redman lifted the ban on growing GM canola in February to allow it to be commercially grown this year.
The Labor party put forward a motion in parliament last Thursday to reverse the decision, but it was overthrown.
The Copeland family have been farming at Mukinbudin for nearly a century and said they were disappointed by the decision.
“Throughout WA, 27,000 people signed a petition to keep WA GM-free, as opposed to 300 farmers who signed an agreement with Monsanto to grow it,” Anne-Marie Copeland said.
“None of our neighbours will be growing it, because they have all signed the petition to say they are against it.
Published by Helen on 28th March 2010
Despite this and the fact that throughout WA, 27,000 people signed a petition to keep WA GM-free (as opposed to 300 farmers who signed an agreement with Monsanto to grow it) in February the Liberal party in Western Australia has lifted the ban on growing GM crops. Labor party’s motion to disallow GM crops was rejected in parliament last week meaning that GM crops will continue to be allowed for commercial use this year.
Merredin’s naturopathic health advisor Debbie Taylor said
“I cannot see how that law (to allow GM crops) was passed,” she said.
“That is completely and utterly unacceptable.
“Where is the freedom of democratic rights that people have to say that we do not want this in our foods?
“It’s non-democratic.”
For the full article go to:
http://fw.farmonline.com.au/news/state/grains-and-cropping/general/farmers-disagree-over-modified-canola-benefits/1785428.aspx?storypage=0
Have your say here!
Published by Helen on 28th March 2010
We always drink organic wine when we can due to our commitment to the health of our bodies as well as that of the planet. The wine industry are traditionally big users of chemicals which are used generally through a fear that production and quality will drop and disease and problems increase if they are not used. Nothing could be further from the truth as many vineyards are proving. A leading example is found at Frank Bonic’s vineyard at Billabong Creek: www.organic-1.com
So it was with interest that I read this article about organic wines and research done in California about the end product - the wine.
“Wine made with organically grown grapes is higher quality,” Delmas said. “Growers have to devote more time and attention and take better care of organically certified vines than conventional vines, and our results show that these efforts are apparent in the product.”
In addition to being less pure, grapes grown with pesticides, herbicides and inorganic fertilizers interfere with a vine’s ability to absorb naturally occurring chemicals in soil, according to vintners quoted in the study. As a result, wines made with organically grown grapes are more likely absorb these chemicals, which are said to provide the distinctive flavor of the site where the grapes were grown — a wine’s much-prized “terroir.”
To read the full article go to:
http://www.thegreenpages.com.au/index.asp?page_id=1596
