Conservation groups have expressed grave concerns over moves by multinational chemical giants Monsanto and Bayer to introduce large scale genetically manipulated (GM) cotton crops in river catchments across northern Australia.

The companies have recently applied to the Commonwealth Office of Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) for licences that would allow the unrestricted commercial growing of GM cotton in northern Australia. Likely target areas include iconic river catchments such as the Daly in the Northern Territory, the Fitzroy in the Kimberley and the Flinders in north Queensland.

Approval by the Regulator would end the ban on growing commercial GM cotton north of latitude 22°S. ‘North of latitude 22°S’ is the region that includes the Kimberley, Top End NT and Cape York. The ban was introduced because of the strong likelihood that GM cotton could become established as a weed in northern Australia. The presence of native cotton species across northern Australia, which have the potential to become major weed problems if they acquire herbicide tolerance from the GM varieties, adds to the risk.

Environs Kimberley Coordinator Maria Mann said: “The companies claim that GM cotton and its relatives will not become a serious weed problem. This is based on research funded by the companies themselves. Our other major unaddressed concerns about these proposals include large scale water extraction, massive land clearing and the pollution of rivers by chemicals and sediments.”

Environment Centre of the NT Freshwater Campaigner Dr Gary Scott said experience in southern Australia has shown that commercial cotton growing is a major threat to the health of rivers.

“We do not accept company claims that GM cotton would lighten the environmental burden of cotton. Northern Australia’s river ecosystems are already under great pressure and do not need any more threats. Many are struggling with the impacts of mining, weeds, cattle and other introduced species, and, increasingly, climate change. Any further impacts through increased land clearing, water extraction and chemical pollution will rapidly make the situation worse.

The Wilderness Society’s Wild Rivers campaigner Larissa Cordner said studies show there are many problems associated with GM crops including herbicide resistant weeds and increased use of chemicals; toxicity to wildlife and humans; genetic pollution; and risk of loss of markets due to GM contamination of the food supply. (For details see: www.non-gm-farmers.com).

“We call on the public, concerned groups and politicians to reject this unwanted, un-needed, and highly damaging industry in northern Australia by making submissions to the OGTR opposing this proposal,” Ms Cordner said.

“For the protection of our environment, State and Territory governments must ban the commercial release of GM cotton across northern Australia.”

For more information contact Charles Roche on (08) 8941 7439.