GM FREE MEETINGS
February 18th 2009 08:46
GM FREE - US & CANADA SPEAKERS
First hand experiences from Canada and the USA
Public forums: GM crops - the benefits and risks
With Genetically Manipulated (GM) canola grown last year in Victoria and NSW, farmers are deciding if GM canola will be good or bad to grow. 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.
Guest speakers are: seed cleaners and growers Moe Parr (Indiana, USA) who was sued by Monsanto in 2007 and Ross Murray (Young, Saskatchewan, Canada) who will talk with Australian farmers about reducing our reliance on multinational agribusiness. (More details below)
Victorian Forums
Yarrawonga
Wednesday, 25th February, 3-4.30pm
Endeavour Room, Yarrawonga-Mulwala RSL, Melbourne Street, Mulwala
For more information contact Geoffrey Carracher: (03) 5386 6261, 0428 316 901
Waipali@bigpond.com
Melbourne
Thursday, 26th February, 1-2pm
The K Room, Parliament House, Spring Street, Melbourne
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
Friday, 27th February, 7-8.30pm
Memorial Hall, 63 Hervey St, Elmore
For more information contact Geoffrey Carracher: (03) 5386 6261, 0428
316 901, Waipali@bigpond.com
Horsham
Saturday, 28th February, 2-3.30pm
Wellesley Performing Arts Centre
For more information contact Geoffrey Carracher: (03) 5386 6261, 0428 316 901
Waipali@bigpond.com
Guest 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.
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