Written by Rashelle Predovnik Friday, 26 February 2010 14:17
ALTHOUGH genetically modified canola can now be grown in Western Australia, it still needs to be carefully managed according Curtin researchers Drs James Fisher and Peter Tozer.
As part of research commissioned by biotechnology firm Monsanto, Dr Fisher and Dr Tozer, analysed the environmental and economic impact of Roundup Ready® (RR) canola in the WA crop production system.
The pair based their economic forecasts on data from comparative trials done on farms in NSW and Victoria in 2008, which were adapted for WA conditions.
Dr Fisher says their analysis was primarily drawn from a sub-set of a 2009 report by Pritchard and Marcroft, which presented a wider range of experiences.
“Our results came from the smaller set of side-by-side comparison, as the data was complete, and based on that information we concluded RR provided an on average15 percent higher yield than Triazine Tolerant (TT) canola,” he says.
According to the report, canola growers would benefit from using the technology because of its potential to increase yields and decrease costs.
“Overall this analysis suggests RR would be as profitable or more profitable than TT canola with a reduced environmental impact and slightly reduced fuel use, when compared with existing canola systems,” the report says.
However, when calculating the economic benefits, Dr Fisher says farmers would likely need 10-15 percent higher yields to offset the fees associated with access to the GM technology.
To date, non-GM herbicide-tolerant canola makes up to 90 percent of the total WA canola crop and weed control is a major challenge.
Roundup Ready® canola offers a viable alternative to farmers who are struggling to control weeds specific to the non-GM system.
However, the report identifies the potential for a build up of Roundup-resistant weeds as problematic, if production was not managed carefully.
Dr Fisher says an increased reliance on a limited range of herbicides in GM crop production is also a possible concern.
“Monsanto has guidelines about how Roundup Ready® herbicide is used and they are trying to manage it but I think it needs to be integrated with other ways of controlling weeds,” he says.
“Managing weeds is one of the biggest issues in our system and a range of approaches, providing different selection pressures, are required to avoid weeds adapting to any one approach. “
Dr Fisher says it is important that RR canola is implemented not as a ‘silver bullet’ technology but as another tool for farmers to use.
“The use of the technology needs to be couched in terms of clear conditions of use to ensure it’s viable in 10 years’ time and potential negatives are minimised,” he says.
Network of Concerned Farmers (NCF) Spokesperson Julie Newman, who threatened legal action to protect non-GM farmers over contamination issues during the trials last year, says better legislation needs to surround the technology.
She says contamination is inevitable and coexistence is impossible.
“Currently, non-GM farmers are at risk of being sued under the Trade Practises Act for delivering a contaminated product, or under Patent Law for growing a patented crop.”
According to the NCF, the grain industry accepts GM contamination but refuses to outline the difficult conditions and consequences for non-GM farmers.
