Australia may use genetically modified canola in 2% of crop

Australia may use genetically modified canola in 2% of crop
Madelene Pearson

Grain growers in Australia, the world's third-largest canola exporter, may produce as much as 2 percent of this year's harvest from genetically modified seed after bans on GM crops were lifted in two states.

Farmers in New South Wales and Victoria may plant a total of 10,000 hectares to 12,000 hectares of Roundup Ready canola this year, or about 1 percent to 2 percent of the nation's crop, Anna Hall, spokeswoman for Monsanto Co.'s Australian unit, said in a telephone interview from Melbourne .

``It's very, very small scale this year and it's mainly because this year is the year we've had the opportunity to bring it to market because of the moratoriums,'' Hall said. ``We'll watch and see how it goes this season.''

Victoria and New South Wales states ended four-year prohibitions on genetically modified crops last November, opening the market to Monsanto and Bayer AG. Other states including Western Australia and South Australia are maintaining their bans.

Monsanto, the world's biggest developer of GM seeds, developed Roundup Ready and has licensed three seed companies to produce varieties for the Australian market, Hall said.

About 150 growers will plant GM seeds this year, while 440 have been accredited to grow the crop, she said.

Canada is the world's largest canola exporter, followed by Ukraine and Australia , according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.