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Australian environmental groups have expressed concern over the Western Australian (WA) government's decision to allow genetically modified cotton crops to be grown in the Kimberley region.
Img: Cotton field in sunset. Credit: Dan Muntz/flickr
The Conservation Council has said the state government's decision to allow the growing of such crops in the area around the Ord River could lead to contamination of non-genetically modified crops and want a guarantee that the GM cotton won't end up in food.
"It's actually the case that cotton seed is actually a food product that is turned into vegetable oil that is sold on supermarket shelves," said Piers Verstegen from the Conservation Council, adding that cotton was being used as a "trojan horse" for other GM crops.
"Bringing GM cotton into the Ord is no doubt a trojan horse for bringing other GM food crops into the state," Mr. Verstegen said.
However farmers have applauded the move saying the growing of GM cotton could be worth more than $50 million AUD to the cotton industry.
Terry Redman, the WA Minister for Agriculture, told reporters the decision could ensure the future of the Ord River region as a major agricultural area. However, he also said he had not as-yet given consideration to lifting the ban on other GM crops.
"This is just an announcement today of commercial growing of GM cotton specifically in the Ord River Irrigation area, but I have highlighted publicly that we are determining a pathway towards commercial trials of GM canola," said Mr. Redman. "[But] I haven't made any decision in that regard yet."
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