Coles against GE food crops

Supermarket giant Coles has joined industry leaders in speaking out against genetically engineered (GE) food, as the Victorian government looks set to announce the lifting of its ban on the commercial growing of GE food crops.

“Coles listens to our customers and over 90% do not want GM ingredients in their food and Coles whole private label range of ‘Smart Buy’, ‘You'll Love Coles’ and ‘Coles Finest’ exclude all GM ingredients in response to customer concerns,” Coles representative, Chris Mara, said at a parliamentary forum.

Coles’ statements follow those of Goodman Fielder (Australia’s largest food company), Tatiara Meats (Australia’s largest lamb exporter) and 250 other food companies calling on the state governments to extend their bans on GE Food crops.

“If GE crops are introduced in Australia, non-GE and organic farmers will have to bear the crippling costs of testing, segregation, supply chain management and will be held liable if they sell non-GE product that is contaminated,” said Scott Kinnear from Biological Farmers of Australia.

“Australian farmers will lose valuable export markets and the country will lose its lucrative GE-free status forever. I urge the government of Victoria and John Brumby to listen to its constituents by extending the ban.”

State governments introduced the moratoria on GE food crops in 2004 because of concerns within industry, the farming sector and regional communities about the impact of GE crops on markets. The Victorian government is currently reviewing a commissioned report on the issue, which could support the lifting of the ban.