26 February 2009
Australia-wide public forums: GM crops - the benefits and risks
The K Room, Paliament House
Spring Street, Melbourne
Victoria
From 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
North American farmers will tell you about the possible benefits and risks of GM crops and answer your questions on corporate influence, segregation failures, legal issues and the effect on markets.
The Speakers
Moe Parr (Indiana, USA) owns and operates Custom Seed and Grain Cleaning in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan. Born in 1934, he grew up on a farm, married in 1961 and has six children. In February 2007 Monsanto sued Moe, alleging he had aided, abetted and encouraged his customers to breach Monsanto's GM Roundup Ready soybean patent. Monsanto used his bank records to also investigate his customers for patent infringement. Moe couldn't afford the legal fees, settled out of court, and must now give Monsanto samples of all the seed he cleans, to test for Roundup Ready soy contamination. Moe's customers are too scared to save seed and he has lost his soy seed cleaning business. He still cleans wheat, oats, barley and rye as they are not GM.
Ross Murray (Young, Saskatchewan, Canada) is a third generation seed grower and grain cleaner. He has a BA in Economics and honours degrees in Political Studies and History from the University of Saskatchewan. He farms grain with his brother Scott on the family farm, is a pedigree seed producer, runs Manitou Custom Seed Cleaning, and is a life member of the Canadian National Farmers Union. With a keen interest in economic and environmental sustainability, Murray began going organic in 2002. He worries about the viability of rural communities with volatile global markets and believes agriculture's dependence on synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertiliser, and GM will sacrifice biodiversity, health, and food security. Ross wants to talk with Australians about reducing our reliance on multinational agribusiness.
A light lunch is offered so please RSVP by noon Monday 23 February to assist with catering. Confirmation of your attendance can be made to: Freja Leonard E: freja.leonard@parliament.vic.gov.au P: 03 9348 2622 F: 03 9348 2699