Canola scare shows we're right: Chance

WA agriculture minister Kim Chance has claimed that concerns over a canola crop which may have contained some genetically modified material have supported the state's moratorium on GM crops.

Chance welcomed news from grain marketer CBH that testing of WA canola revealed no traces of GM material. He said in a statement that the detection of trace levels of GM contamination in preliminary tests of WA canola were not substantiated on further tests performed overseas.

"However, this incident has highlighted a number of issues associated with GM technology, including market sensitivity to even low levels of GM material," Chance said. "It also reveals the real difficulties associated with coexistence, segregation and industry self-regulation, the need for more stringent testing for the early detection of GM material in seeds, and the need to develop an adequate legal framework should contamination events occur in the future.

"I remain convinced that, at this time, WA should remain free from the commercial production of GM crops."

The WA government slapped a moratorium on the commercial production of GM crops in 2001, in response to what it claimed was "overwhelming" consumer sentiment.

"The state government's stance on GM food crops will protect the lifestyle of our farming communities by protecting our overseas markets and environment," Chance said.