The Western Australian Farmers Federation welcomed the announcement by that an exemption order under the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 has been approved.

However, Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray called it an “irreversible blunder”.

WAFarmers director of Policy Alan Hill commended the Minister and State Government on their decision “which will provide the State’s farmers with the choice to use this valuable technology”.

“WAFarmers has consistently lobbied State Government over several years for access to GM canola plantings, so it is pleasing to see the Government deliver on this election promise,” Mr Hill said.

“Our State’s farmers are world leaders in the use of technology to meet the growing food needs of the population.”

Mr Hill noted that GM will not replace traditional varieties of canola but instead will provide some farmers with an additional tool that they can use to manage weeds and pests, with the potential to increase yields and returns.

“Western Australian farmers will now have the choice to cultivate GM canola, non-GM canola or a combination of both.”

Critics of the decision included Shadow Agriculture Minister Mick Murray, who said this will have negative long term economic and social impacts that cannot be reversed.

He noted “overwhelming opposition” to the proposal, and called the decision an irreversible blunder.

“This is not something that can be reversed when it all goes wrong – the effects of this decision will be felt for generations to come,’ he said.

Mr Murray said almost 90 per cent of submissions made to a review of the Genetically Modified Crops Free Areas Act 2003 opposed the introduction of GM crops.

“Only one in 10 submissions was pro-GM canola,” Mr Murray said.

“The public of Western Australia, local governments, organic farmers, doctors, chefs and mothers’ groups have said loud and clear they are against GM crops.

“More than half the shires in Agriculture Minister Terry Redman’s electorate have declared themselves GM crop free.

“Five overseas markets and organisations have outlined their concerns, including the Consumer Union of Japan who represent 2.9 million Japanese customers.

“The Government has washed its hands of any responsibility for contamination of neighbouring farms or roadsides during transportation, putting the onus back onto local government.”