Wheat aphid infestations in South Australia reignite debate over GMO crops

The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis.

The discovery of the Russian wheat aphid in South Australia’s Tarlee region last month sent shudders of concern among Australia’s grain industry. It’s since spread across other South Australian grain growing regions and into Victoria. If left untreated it can cause damage of up to 75 per cent.

Unlike many, biodynamic farmer Phillip Dunn from Tarlee is sanguine – confident that natural predator insects will take care of the problem.

. . . .

But not everyone is so confident natural bugs will be the answer with hopes GM technology may be able to provide answers.

“There’s certainly the capacity and in fact there is international research going on to develop new aphid resistant GM wheat varieties and other crops.”

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That’s the chief executive of Crop Life Australia, Matthew Cossey. . .

South Australia and Tasmania have banned the use of GM crops until at least 2019.

Proponents of GM technology say that’s hindering national research projects . . . with investors put off by the prospect of developing products that can’t be used across the country.

Read full, original post: Debates arise over use of genetically modified crops in light of Queensland wheat infestation