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.

In Western Australia the Government’s plans to conduct trials on GM have been disallowed in the Upper House due to insufficient support being shown for non GM farmers. (23.04.09 Stock and Land, p 18)

Victory for the Network of Concerned farmers?

Not if the WA Minister for Agriculture Terry Redman has his way. He intends to sign an exemption order for the trials to go ahead! Just who is he representing?
And why conduct trials anyway? Surely not to prove that GM canola is better! Hasn’t that been “proved” in other state and countries? Would I dare suggest that it is just another strategy to gradually weaken and wear out people’s opposition to GM.

Just look at what is happening in Victoria where it has been announced this week that there will be no segregation of GM and non GM canola this year. Why? Only last year they said that concerned people had no worry about contamination because GM grains would be segregated from non GM. Now it seems that it doesn’t matter, thus exposing everyone who uses canola products to the effects, currently unknown, to GM. If you want a choice, bad luck and, by the way, they knew all along that it was impossible to stop GM canola from contaminating non GM farms. The quicker the better for all concerned who stand to gain from the technology.

This arrogant disregard of people’s wishes must be examined and everyone of us should write to our elected Government “representative” and ask why. Until the majority of politicians stand threatened to lose their seat there is no reason for them to challenge Party policy which is abundantly clear, does not represent us.

“Greenpeace Wrong About GM farming” is one of 2 letters in Opinion, Stock and Land, 2.4.09 p. 10

It is written to make 2 organic farmers who are going from town town with Greenpeace look like misinformed, ignorant farmers spreading mistruths GM. They are riding “side saddle …pump(ing)
out loads of misinformation about litigation-prone agribusiness, compensation, seed supplies and other bulldust”

The writer, Wayne McKay of Billimari, NSW, says that they are “trying to whip up a fever of bother about GM canola” His proof that they missed their mark is that 1000 farmers, up from 100 farmers last year, have turned a “deaf ear to the doomsayers” because “Guess what? Farmers see through such stunts” Wayne’s last comment that these 2 farmers “have only demonstrated that their opposition to GM technology is stronger that their knowledge of farming”.

It amazes me that Wayne hasn’t stopped to realise how illogical his claims are.
Firstly the 1000 farmers were always going to plant GM canola because they see it as their best way to farm profitably. They are unaware of the benefits of biological farming and know no other way to farm apart from getting rid of weeds - competition - and adding inputs to make plants produce.

Secondly why would 2 organic farmers spend their time going around to the towns to oppose GM? Organic farmers do not need GM technology to grow their crops without weedicides so maybe these 2 farmers are extremely concerned about the future for all of us if GM crops are widely grown. They know that there is a better, healthier way to farm because they know their soils and look after them.

I am extremely grateful that people do take the time out to get the information out there. Due to the huge influence that the big agribusinesses can exert on our governing bodies and the media, it is difficult for the ordinary bloke to access a balanced stream of information.

One excellent source of current information is to be found at: www.madge.org.au

On the weekend Hugo and I went to support Gerhard Grasser of Agrisolutions man his stand at the Seymour Alternative Farming Expo. On Saturday Gerhard gave 2 talks about rapidly creating the soil recover due to drought and/or bushfires. During the 1st one he was interrupted several times by a man in the audience about reduced use of fertiliser in a biological farming system.
The man left early but appeared at his stand afterwards claiming in a loud voice that Gerhard was dishonest - nothing else - just dishonest. When I asked why, he had little to say except repeat his claims. When I asked again he said that Gerhard hadn’t detailed which soil testing labs. were independent but he said he knew that there was only one that was independent - Incitec!!!!! it was curious as he would not engage in discussion.

Hugo said that there was a similar incident on Sunday with another man just hanging around and proclaiming that Gerhard was dishonest.

On discussing it tonight Hugo thinks, and I agree, that both men were there to discredit anyone perceived to be a threat to chemical fertiliser companies. The 2nd man was touting how good GM cops were because they increased corn yields in 3rd world countries by 3%. Once again he would not engage in any discussion.

Hi to all our Farming Secrets members, organic and sustainable farmers,  enthusiasts and any body in general with an interest in organic farming, sustainability and living in a better, cleaner and more natural world.

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For more information about Helen and Hugo Disler’s farming club, visit www.farmingsecrets.com