Farmers in Western Australia grow GMO and non-GMO varieties of canola with safeguards in place to prevent commingling of the strains. The reliability of the safeguards was questioned after “volunteer” GMO canola plants were discovered growing along roadsides in four Perth suburbs, far from the nearest grain farm, said The Western Australian newspaper. The plants, found along the main truck routes to port, probably sprouted from seeds spilled during transport, said the GM-Free Farmers Group. The Conservation Council of WA said “the reality shows the GM canola is not being contained.”
The two groups said the discoveries could imperil the market for non-GMO canola. Europe is the leading buyer of the non-GMO oilseed. About 30 percent of canola plantings in Western Australia this year were GMO strains. An official for the Australian Oilseed Federation said European countries allow small amounts of GMO material in canola shipments so there was no significant risk to sale, but the issue would be monitored. Canola seeds yield an oil that is low in saturated fat.