Alarm over GM rose trial

By Dion Teasdale
THE company at the centre of a row over a trial of genetically modified plants has defended the scheme.
The comments come after Shire of Yarra Ranges councillors expressed outrage after a decision was made to allow the trial of genetically modified roses to take place.
Despite the council’s 2001 policy that opposes the introduction of genetically modified crops in the shire, the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) will allow Japanese multinational company Florigene Suntori to grow the blue rose at Australian Roses in Silvan.
Mayor Monika Keane said she was disappointed that the gene technology regulator has disregarded the council’s submission against the trial and believes the shire’s ‘clean and green’ reputation is being risked for the rose.
“A new genetically modified rose is simply not worth the very real threat producing it poses to our agricultural and horticultural procedures and to the region’s precious biodiversity,” she said.
Councillor Samantha Dunn is also disappointed at what she says is the disregard for the council’s standing on the issue and is worried about the environmental impact the rose may have.
“The decision puts at risk our floriculture which generate $390 million per year for the shire.”
According to Ms Dunn, who received figures from the centre for eBusiness and communications at Swinburne University, horticultural production is worth an estimated $710 million per annum in the shire, with orchard and berry fruit worth $110 million and cut flower sectors worth an estimated $390 million.
“The council’s objection to GMOs is not just based on philosophical concerns; we have major concerns on scientific grounds and the potential impact on our farmers and horticultural industries,” she said.
However, Australian Roses director John Neil said the councillor was over reacting and and defended the gene regulator’s decision to allow the trial.
“The gene regulator has been very fair in making this decision and I think comments made by the councillors can be challenged,” he said.
Mr Neil said a blue carnation has been grown extensively throughout the world and in Australia for the past 15 years without any problems.
“There’s been no trouble in the past and the regulations being put in place for the growing of the blue rose are very strict so I don’t understand what the shire is on about.”
A spokeswoman for the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator also defended its decision, describing the production of the blue rose as one of the most benign genetically modified organisms the office had considered.
She also said the office’s decision to grant permission for the production of the blue rose was the end result of an exhaustive consultation process.
“All of the environmental issues were weighed, including the local council’s submissions, and at end of the day the decision was made that this would not pose a threat and any risk could be managed,” she said.
The Mail contacted Florigene Suntori but representatives from the company were unavailable to make a comment.