1.Food guru Margaret Fulton likens genetically-modified food push to Adolf Hitler
2.True Food Guide launched in Sydney
3.A winner: Tasmania Bans GM Until 2014

EXTRACT: "We thought Hitler was a bad fella ... these guys could show him a thing or two." - Australia's culinary icon, Margaret Fulton (item 1)
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1.Food guru Margaret Fulton likens genetically-modified food push to Adolf Hitler
By Caroline Berdon
Herald Sun, November 24 2008
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24697594-5005961,00.html

FOOD guru Margaret Fulton has joined a host of celebrity foodies to condemn genetically-modified (GM) food, likening the big chemical companies pushing its merits to Adolf Hitler.

Food writer Ms Fulton, along with celebrity chefs Alex Herbert and Jared Ingersoll, launched the Greenpeace True Food Guide Canola Edition 2009 in Sydney today.

The booklet coincides with the imminent entry onto the national market of Australia's first GM food crop, GM Canola, which is now being harvested in NSW and Victoria.

Critics say preliminary studies of GM Canola have shown it to be potentially toxic, partly due to higher levels of pesticides used in its farming.

With a green list of "goodies" - brands which avoid ingredients from GM crops - and a red list of "baddies" brands that may allow GM ingredients to contaminate their supply, the guide aims to help consumers actively avoid products containing GM Canola.

At the guide's launch, Ms Fulton hit out at the big chemical companies for pushing the "benefits" of growing GE canola to farmers for their commercial gain.

"They're going to control the world," she said.

"We thought Hitler was a bad fella ... these guys could show him a thing or two - and they're creeping up on us quietly without guns or anything like that, but the poison is there."

There are no laws which compel manufacturers or retailers to state whether a product is genetically modified, making it challenging for consumers to choose GM-free goods without the right information.
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2.True Food Guide launched in Sydney
Hospitality Magazine, 25 November 2008
http://www.hospitalitymagazine.com.au/Article/True-Food-Guide-launched-in-Sydney/431909.aspx

*Australia's culinary icon Margaret Fulton today launched the "Canola Edition" of the Greenpeace True Food Guide in Sydney

The guide, which aims to help consumers avoid buying genetically engineered food products, was welcomed by industry and consumer representatives and top chefs at the launch event, hosted by Bird Cow Fish head chef Alex Herbert.

Coles, Aldi and IGA Metcash, top users of canola oil Goodman Fielder, Unilever and Peerless foods, and some of the big consumer food brands including Kellogs, Heinz,Arnott’s, Carman’s Fine Foods, King Island Dairy and Lilydale, are now listed as “green” in the True Food Guide and will “actively avoid ingredients from GE crops”.

This major industry rejection comes at a time when Australia’s first genetically engineered canola is being harvested in New South Wales and Victoria.

Fulton said, “This is the first time so many food brands have pledged their commitment to use only natural non-GE produce; it is so reassuring to see how far we have come from the launch of the first True Food Guide in 2002. It is fantastic that GE-free shopping can now be easy and affordable.”

Jackie Healing, Coles quality manager said, "Coles developed its current range of house brands to exclude genetically modified ingredients after we recognised our customers’ concerns about the technology and its use in the food they purchase from us."

The wallet-sized GE-free shopping guide also provides information about food products which “may allow GE ingredients” to help consumers make an informed choice.

Michelle Sheather, Greenpeace genetic engineering campaigner said, “The timely response from a majority of the food industry means that although GE canola will enter our food chain unlabelled, we can still avoid eating GE food. There is no future in GE food; we need to keep GE food and crops out of Australia.”

Chefs, mothers, nutritionists and leading groups have joined Greenpeace in asking for labelling of all GE food - including oils and products from animals (milk eggs, meat, honey) fed on GE feed.

The True Food Guide can be downloaded at www.truefood.org.au
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3.A winner: Tasmania Bans GM Until 2014
Gene Ethics Media Release: Melbourne, 24 November 2008

Gene Ethics applauds the Tasmanian Government's ban on GM crops until the end of 2014, at least. This policy resulted from an exhaustive inquiry that has all-party support for a GM-free stance.

"The government's far-sighted decision opens up various GM-free marketing and other opportunities for the Apple Isle," says Gene Ethics director Bob Phelps.

"With premiums for GM-free canola now between A$75-90 (The Land, weekly graphs), the market prospects are excellent for Australian GM-free canola growers.

"The Japanese, Indian and Middle Eastern markets all want GM-free products and are ready to pay the premium.

"Genetically Manipulated canola is a dead loss in NSW and Victoria, with only a handful of selected growers risking Roundup tolerant GM canola that puts them at the mercy of rapacious companies.

"Growers are charged an accreditation fee of $500 ($1,000 next year), a premium for seed, more expensive Roundup, and an end-point-royalty of $10.20/tonne ($20.40 next year).

"The new WA government should match Tasmania's GM-free stance and also reap the benefits.

"Tasmania's display of real leadership, and its excellent report on GM canola, should be carefully studied by all Australian governments before they commit any further to GM canola," Mr Phelps concludes.

Comment: Bob Phelps 0449 769 066
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David Llewellyn, MP
Minister for Primary Industries and Water
Monday, 24 November 2008
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GMO Ban To Stay Until 2014

The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, David Llewellyn, announced today that Tasmania's ban on the commercial release of genetically modified food crops will continue for at least another five years from the end of November 2009 to the end of November 2014.

"This will make the State's primary produce even more desirable," Mr Llewellyn said.

"Tasmania's GMO-free status is a key factor in the Tasmanian brand and is therefore vital to Tasmania's primary producers realising their full potential in international and interstate markets."

The Minister said there are exciting opportunities for Tasmania's primary industries, operating under the Tasmanian brand.

"The markets are demanding, and are prepared to pay for, food that is clean, green, high quality and safe. 

"Tasmania is already well-positioned to meet that demand and our decision to extend the GMO ban makes the Tasmanian brand even stronger.

"The decision by some other Australian States to relax their GM bans has actually increased the value of Tasmania's GMO-free status and that creates opportunities for even better access to prime markets across the globe.

"The hard work done over recent years has ensured Tasmania is well-placed to take full advantage of its reputation as a reliable supplier of the best and safest food to a range of new markets that will arise out of the maintaining of the ban.

"The State Government and the Brand Tasmania Council will be developing a more aggressive marketing campaign to maximise the business opportunities flowing from extension of the GMO ban." 

The Minister said that the Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW) will be actively working with industry to investigate GMO-free seed production and other opportunities. 

"Clearly, the growing demand in premium markets for non-GM food will also see a growing demand for non-GM seed stock for both crops and pastures that will flow into industries such as dairying and beef, to value-add to their products in the market place."

Tasmania's GMO policy:   

*prohibits use of gene technology in commercial agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fisheries, bioremediation and pets;
*does not apply to gene technology use in contained research and medical or non-agricultural industrial use where there is no risk of release to the environment;
*allows specific authorisation of some types of research if risks of escape of GM organisms to the environment is low enough;
*prohibits import of viable GM organisms which could establish in the environment (eg GM canola seed);
*does not prohibit import of non-viable materials derived from GMOs (eg feed containing GM soya bean meal);
*continues the eradication program at former trial sites at which residual GM canola occurs;  and,
*supports continued Tasmanian participation in national GMO and food safety regulation systems.

Copies of the gene technology policy can be found at http://www.dpiw.tas.gov

Further information:
Margaret Lindley
Phone: 6233 2451