The United Dairyfarmers of Victoria wants further talks to fast-track a trial of GM ryegrass in a real-life farming situation, sort out coexistence rules and clarify consumer perceptions.
Speaking after the UDV hosted a series of GM farmer forums discussing new technologies, UDV president Adam Jenkins said the policy council would seek discussions about whether GM is in or out.
”Then we need to work out coexistence regulations, how to deal with states that don’t allow it and then have a real commercial trial with cows grazing GM,” he said.
“From the UDV and farmers’ perspective I would like to see a trial done that involves a real life situation,” he said.
“At the moment we’re fluffing around at the edges saying who’s going to do this and who’s going to do that. We need to put cows on the grass and see what the outcome is.
“We need to get it commercially tested and of course we need a commercial partner for that.”
Mr Jenkins added that it was important to consider all views. “We have members and friends that are biological, organic and commercial so we need the discussion and trials to sort out what needs to happen.”
The UDV is in discussions with the Australian Dairy Farmers to represent farmer issues at the Australian Dairy Industry Council and push for a national policy to make GM more attractive to investors.
“We’ve got all states wanting different things. How can you have commercial partners if they can’t sell in all the states? Our market is not big enough.”
The UDV will hold a strategy meeting in coming weeks to formalise its policy on GM ryegrass.
“We’ll develop a policy, probably in line with the national policy, which supports the research and development but the issue is like the chicken and the egg. I think we’re all in the same space of how do we get there?”
Mr Jenkins said the regulation process wasn’t easy to get through and he had no idea of a potential timeframe.
“That’s a government responsibility. When we get over that hurdle, each state has its own regulatory process to get through,” he said. “It’s not easy and in all that we’ve got commercial partners to chase to invest in the technology. They’re not going to invest in it until they see they have a market for it.”
Mr Jenkins said it was important to start the debate and review GM technology or look at other options to improve productivity.
“There’s lots of work and regulation to be done about GM. Hopefully something will come out of it but if it’s not the GM we hope there will be spin-offs. We’re still getting really good ryegrass and good technologies coming from the research.”
Mr Jenkins said new technologies were needed to help agriculture meet its goals. “By 2050 we’ve got to produce the same amount of food that we’ve produced in the past 8000 years. We’ve got to put that in perspective and say how do we do that? If it’s not GM let’s throw it out and get onto something else to help us in the next 35 years produce 8000 years of food.”
He added that coexistence was another issue to address. “How are neighbours who do want GM and don’t want GM going to co-exist? We need to have that debate and look at that regulation.”
Mr Jenkins said farmers at the forums generally supported looking at new technology. “We’re paying levies for research and development and I guess if it’s not GM what is the investment going to return? If it’s the grass that’s almost ready, let’s get it ready and get it going.”
He added that there was some opposition at the forums. “Some say we don’t want a bar of it and say we should look at other technology. I would want a system where people can make a choice,” he said.
If GM ryegrass technology was introduced it should remain affordable. “We’re going to have to feed a lot of people and need a price point that is competitive for the market and the consumer,” he said.
Mr Jenkins added the GM ryegrass could include traits such as drought tolerance and high sugar that might give benefits for farmers, consumers and cows.
Source: Dairy News Australia