Title: Consumers show preference for non-GM

[Weekly Times, 21 March, 2012 by Kim Woods] AUSTRALIA -- Growers of genetically modified canola crops are copping a caning in the market place. With prices largely dictated by Canada, GM canola is trading at $A25-$A50 a tonne less than non-GM varieties. Grain Assist principal Alastair Beaumont said GM canola was the base grade for negotiation. Mr Beaumont said non-GM growers in Tasmania, Western Australia and Kangaroo Island were selling grain into a reduced, competitive market. He said Australian GM growers were now competing with Canada and the US at lower price levels Speaking at a canola forum in Dookie last week, Mr Beaumont said consumer and grain market signals indicated a preference for non-GM canola. "GM canola has not the value of non-GM canola," he said. "From a marketing side, non-GM and organics is still bringing the highest price. [Photo: Conventional preference: Growers are getting about $A25-$A50 a tonne less for their genetically modified canola.]

"When GM canola first came out, it was worth the same price (as non-GM). "In the market today it is at a $25-$50/tonne discount at where non-GM canola is." Mr Beaumont said recent polls showed 93 per cent of Americans supported labelling of genetically modified products. "This will drive non-GM and organic foods if passed," he said. "If consumers have a choice they will buy non-GMO foods but price dictates consumers." US sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $26.7 billion in 2010.

Riverine Plains Incorporated chairman Evan Ryan said he began trialling GM canola on his 1000ha Yarrawonga farm in 2006, partly in a philosophical decision to support the technology. Mr Ryan said growers benefited from improved yields, drought and frost tolerance through GM technology. Advantages included controlling Group A and Group B herbicide resistance in crop rotations. "In the drought, we went away from canola to wheat on wheat as a risk mitigation strategy," Mr Ryan said. "We had disease issues in the wheat rotation as it was too intensive - there were the same weeds year after year." Mr Ryan recommended growing GM canola in a "safe environment" - a well drained paddock without wild radish issues. He said growers should be mindful before planting there needed to be a strong demand for GM canola. "At the moment we are getting discounted on price - it needs to pay for itself," Mr Ryan said. "Unfortunately the market isn't directing farmers to the technology."



Article: WeedsNews3089 (permalink)
Categories: :WeedsNews:genetics, :WeedsNews:trade, :WeedsNews:grain crop weeds
Date: 21 March 2012; 9:16:29 am Australian Eastern Daylight Time

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid