Eyre Peninsula crop growers are at risk of lawsuits from multi-national agro-chemical companies.

Australian Democrats Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Gilfillan, and Democrats candidate for Grey, Gil Robertson, have sounded the alarm after a ‘test case’ in Canada involving genetically modified canola.

A Canadian farmer in his 70’s has been fined $20,000 for having Monsanto GM canola crops without a licence. Percy Schmeiser claimed that the seed must have blown onto his property. However the judge said it did not matter how the seed got there; Mr Schmeiser had infringed Monsanto’s patent.

Now Monsanto is taking similar action against farmers across the border in the U.S.

The Australian Centre for Intellectual Property in Agriculture has warned that in Australia also, our "patent laws leave farmers defenceless".

In New Zealand, after a Royal Commission, there is to be a two-year moratorium on GM crops. But in South Australia, Liberal and Labor politicians would not even support calls by the Eyre Peninsula GM Task Force, for the establishment of GM-free zones in this State.

In State Parliament, last Wednesday, Ian Gilfillan raised the issue, but could get no answers nor any assurances from the State Government.

Democrats Federal election candidate for Grey, Gil Robertson, says "without GM-free zones, choices will ultimately disappear. And without legal protection from multi-national companies, some producers may disappear under lawsuits.

"Voting Democrat is the best protection for EP farmers."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Ian Gilfillan

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