Seed company Monsanto has posted a 55 per cent jump in sales of genetically modified canola seed in Australia. The company says it’s sold more than 600 tonnes of GM canola seeds in Western Australia, 125 tonnes in New South Wales, and about 90 tonnes in Victoria. Grain market analyst Nathan Cattle says GM canola remains a small industry and growth in the sector will depend on consumer attitudes towards GM crops.
“If we’re all, as producers and an industry, of the belief that GM product and GM canola in this specific case is a good product we need to convince the market of it,” Mr Cattle said.
Monsanto says its sales of GM crops are up 72 per cent in Victoria, 59 per cent in New South Wales and 53 per cent in Western Australia. Monsanto Australia managing director Daniel Kruithoff says he expects GM canola will account for 20 to 25 per cent.
“We understand that to use herbicide tolerant technology sustainably it needs to be used within a rotation and there are several herbicide tolerant options on the market and Roundup Ready will be used as part of that.”
Earlier this year, the Western Australian Supreme Court rejected an organic grower’s bid for compensation after GM canola from his neighbour allegedly blew onto his property. Mr Kruithoff says he doubts the case will factor into farmers’ decision making when they consider planting GM canola crops.
“The feedback we have had from farmers across the country is that the court case, although they paid attention to it, it really hasn’t had an impact on their planting decisions this year and I don’t think it will next year either,” he said.
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