James Holden
0408 669 026
27 November, 2007
Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia welcomes lifting of GM canola moratoria
Seed company Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia has welcomed news that the New South Wales and Victorian State Governments have decided to lift their moratoria on growing genetically modified (GM) canola.
General Manager for Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia, Keith Glasson, said the decision allows farmers in both states access to leading edge technology that has been available to their international competitors for more than a decade.
“Today’s announcement means that the canola industry now has a positive future.
“It is of paramount importance to replace old, low yielding and environmentally unsustainable herbicide technology such as triazine (atrazine) with modern technology, such as canola hybrids with the Roundup Ready gene.
“This new technology will allow canola farmers to substantially increase their yields, minimise cost, maximise gross margins, and protect the environment and the international competitiveness of their industry,” Mr Glasson said.
Mr Glasson said a small amount of a new Pioneer Roundup Ready GM canola hybrid would be available in 2008.
“Pioneer will have a limited release of a new mid-season Roundup Ready canola hybrid, but the first season will be carefully controlled and will only involve a small number of growers.”
“We expect to have larger quantities available of this and other Roundup Ready hybrids in 2009.”
Mr Glasson said Pioneer would continue to invest in alternate herbicide-resistant canola technologies such as Clearfield, which is conventionally bred.
“Pioneer Hi-Bred Australia will continue to offer Australian canola growers this choice for as long as the market demands.
“The good news about the decision to lift the GM canola moratoria is that Victorian and New South Wales growers will now have more choice in herbicide-resistant technologies available to them,” Mr Glasson said.