Grain research boss speaks up for GM wheat

Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) chairman, Keith Perrett, has added his voice to the chorus of scientists and farm groups denouncing suggestions that genetically modifed (GM) wheat is unwelcome in Australia, and floundering in North America.

GRDC invested $5.3 million into GM wheat research last financial year, or about 3.7 percent of its annual budget, reported Stock & Land.

Mr Perrett said GRDC knew GM wheat research was being conducted not only in Canada and the US but also other parts of the world, projecting a positive global outlook for the technology following rigorous assessment.

He said these countries were looking into GM wheat’s potential benefits for farmers and consumers, and GRDC wanted to ensure – when consumers and markets were ready for it – “our growers have access to these technologies and consumers”.

Mr Perrett said GM products required a large volume of work going into development over a lengthy period of time.

“If we did not have the products ready to roll out to growers here in Australia when the world is ready to accept GM wheat some time in the future, we would be negligent in our duty to growers,” he said.

“Canada and the US are pursuing the technology responsibly and doing the research.

“To say that it’s been rejected is a stupid claim, because the technology is not out there yet.

“Really we are at least seven to eight years away from having a (GM wheat) product in the market place.”