Helen and Hugo’s Organic Farming Blog

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.

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!

These are just 2 photos from the daily sight from our office.
Some days we cannot even see the mountains due to smoke from the fires to the East and North.
Today we are smelling the smoke and the sun casts an orange glow.
It is an eerie reminder of the ongoing devastation that the bush fires are causing.

Another helicopter getting more water

The bush fires still rage on 11th February 2009

During the nuptials of Ben Van Deventer and Liz Nisbet, at the nearby De Bortoli winery, a dozen staff spent hours battling deadly embers as the 170 guests partied.

Flames came within a few hundred metres of the winery and its buildings and 180 hectares of vines survived.

Owner Leanne De Bortoli said the fire’s speed and ferocity surprised everyone. “We’d all been listening to the radio and hearing about the fires in Kilmore, but we thought, ‘That’s miles away’.”

The wedding took place in the garden at the centre of the winery at 4pm. It was 45 degrees but the wind had dropped. But as the ceremony ended, smoke thickened, the wind picked up and embers and ash started falling. Guests were herded out of a car park marquee into the safer main red brick building as appetisers were served while “all hands on deck”, including winemakers and musicians, watered surrounding grounds and gutters. As night fell, fires approached from hills 1 kilometre to the south and west.

About 9pm the bridal party were let back into the marquee to cut the cake and give speeches and some ventured outside for photos as the fire glowed in hills behind them.

Ms De Bortoli said the day was “quite frightening”, but staff were heroes and she feels lucky the winery was spared and no one was hurt. (The Age, p1 Carolyn Webb February 13, 2009)

Helen Disler from Farming Secrets spoke with Leanne on Monday unaware of how close de Bortoli’s were to the bushfires. As she spoke they were still fighting fresh fires at the vineyard.

Farming Secrets have been filming de Bortoli’s change over to organics using compost and compost teas in the vineyards close to where the fires were raging. They are very concerned for them at this time of loss and suffering for not only them but for the tight knit community around them.