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MELBOURNE - Victorian farmers will be able to grow genetically modified canola from next year, but consumers may not know if they are buying it.
The Victorian Government will lift its ban on genetically modified canola crops, with a statewide moratorium to end on February 29.
Premier John Brumby made the announcement yesterday, an hour after NSW made the same move, and amid criticism from his party colleagues for failing to consult them.
The lifting of the ban will generate A$115 million ($135 million) over eight years for the A$300 million-a-year industry, Brumby said.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Joe Helper said federal labelling laws would guide shoppers who did not want to buy GM products. However, his spokesman later said he was not sure whether all products containing GM canola had to be labelled.
Gene Ethics spokesman Bob Phelps said consumers would have no choice.
"This so-called choice [for farmers] will take away everyone else's choice.
- AAP
