Press release:

Farmers ask why GM crops perform worse in drought



The Network of Concerned Farmers, an alliance of farmers with concerns
regarding genetically modified crops, are calling for research to
determine why GM crops perform worse during droughts.



"There is more than enough evidence to reveal that GM crops perform worse
than non-GM crops during drought conditions but this vital information is
being ignored," said Julie Newman, National Spokesperson for the Network
of Concerned Farmers.



"Farmers worldwide have complained that GM crops perform worse than non-GM
crops during drought including GM cotton in India and Indonesia, GM soy in
the United States and Brazil and GM canola in Canada. Australian farmers
have even stated that they use an additional irrigation for GM cotton so
it appears there is evidence that GM crops need more water," she said.



"Our Federal Minister for Agriculture is making outrageous statements
wanting states to ignore economic risk and claiming we need GM crops to
counter drought when reality shows GM crops perform worse in drought.
Australia is known for adverse conditions and may be totally unsuitable
for GM crops but nobody seems to care about this vital detail."



There has recently been a significant drop in soybean production due to
the drought in Brazil. The president of the Rio Grande do Sul seed
association sites 25% higher crop losses in GE soy crops as compared with
conventional ones.  Brazil's agricultural department estimates that yields
are down 72% in Rio Grande do Sul  which is the biggest adopter of
Monsanto's Roundup Ready GM technology.



 "Many Brazilian farmers who use Round-Up Ready soy will be thinking twice
about it next year,"

 said Etienne Vernet, South American Research Director of the Polaris
Institute. Governor of Mato Grosso (25% of national soy production) has
publicly stated that he will not plant genetically modified soy next year.



Monsanto and Bayer Cropscience withdrew from the proposed independent
trials in NSW in 2004 with Bayer Cropscience stating a concern for dry
conditions as a reason. Requests for further independent testing has been
denied but Bayer Cropscience has been growing canola under irrigation for
export to Canada under special state exemption orders.

"Farmers need trials to compare GM performance during adverse conditions
and scientists need to investigate this further. Farmers have had enough
of the bulldust, we need facts."



Non-GM drought tolerant varieties of wheat are being grown in Australia.
Mrs Newman claims there are far better alternatives in non-GM
biotechnology but some scientists are more interested in attracting
corporate investment so are misleading farmers to believe all
biotechnology is GM.




 Contact: Julie Newman 08 98711562 or 08 98711644 or 0427 711644



Further stories of interest (see press release section on
www.non-gm-farmers.com for direct links):



Brazil drought reveals 25% higher loss in GM soy
GM soybean yields drop Is Monsanto's patented Roundup Ready gene
responsible for a flattening of U.S. soybean yields that has cost farmers
an estimated $1.28 billion?
Argentina experiencing GM problems claim scientists
Indian farmers attack Monsanto after 70 suicides blamed on crop failures
Indian farmers claim Monsanto is spreading piracy rumours to cover crop
failure
South African report details GM cotton failures similar to India and
Indonesia

Bt cotton in South Africa - not the success claimed

Indonesia-"Bt cotton planting has given us more harm than good"



Can GMOs End World Hunger? - Farmers, scientists and policy analyst from
the developing world say no!

Ag biotech firms fail to deliver on promises
Don't Fall for the Hype Over Biotech

GM crops not the answer say independent science panel
GM outdated, new non-GM plant breeding holds promise for the future
Non-GM genomics holds fantastic potential to feed the world
Non-GM canola adapted to manage drought stress
Non-GM drought tolerant wheat released
Non-GM genomics holds promise for frost, boron, salt and drought
tolerance.
Non-GE wheat delivers drought tolerance.
Monsanto pins hopes on Soy traits bred by non-GM means but altered to GM
Improving crops without genetic modification – natural variation holds the
key