That crazy deliberately misleading GM article with Richard Di Natale in the Farm Weakly: Pulleeese

About that crazy deliberately misleading interview by the Farm Weakly with Greens leader Richard Di Natale on GM GM crops: Greens consider policy change - Agriculture - General - Politics - Farm Weekly farmweekly.com.au Bob Phelps from Gene Ethics had this to say about the article on Richard Di Natale and GM from Sept 2015! Hi all: Pro-GM journo Colin Bettles created a phony story of division among The Greens on GM policy this week. He claims Greens' leader Richard Di Natale has no personal objection to GM crops (see the clips and here) because GM techniques are also used in research and medicine. http://www.farmweekly.com.au/news/agriculture/general/politics/greens-mull-rethink-on-gm-crop-policy/2750469.aspx?storypage=0. Bettles failed to report that the interview was conducted months ago, before The Greens reviewed and reconfirmed existing GMO policy. See: http://greens.org.au/policies/genetically-manipulated-organisms The Australian also promoted its pro-GM editorial policy by following Bettles' story (see attached). But the following Greens statement was unreported by any media: Hi folks, I was asked a couple of questions on GMOs in a wide ranging interview a few months ago, ahead of the The Australian Greens National Conference, which were reported this week. To be clear, we have not changed our policy. A high evidence threshold must be met to demonstrate that there are not any negative impacts of GMOs before we would consider supporting their use. The best evidence available tells us that GMOs have not yet been proven universally safe for our environment, agricultural systems or human health. The evidence that worries me most is the risk GMOs pose to our natural environment, the increased use of herbicides that often accompany GMO use, the contamination of neighbouring (non-GMO) crops and the lack of strong food labelling requirements to protect consumers rights - not to mention the appalling behaviour of agri-giants like Monsanto! In recent times, our Greens MPs particularly Senator Rachel Siewert have been very vocal about our concerns that regulators haven't been properly scrutinising new GM technologies. We will continue to advocate for strong regulations of GMO use in Australia.  Here's the official response from Richard Di Natale's office: "The precautionary principle guiding The Greens’ GMO policy was reconfirmed recently at the party’s 2015 National Conference. The Greens’ policies are reviewed on a regular basis, via a grassroots process. No further review of national policy, including GMO policy, is scheduled at this time. The Greens are proud of the work our MPs and supporters have done over many years advocating for appropriate regulation of GMOs. Australian Greens Agriculture spokesperson Rachel Siewert introduced a bill in 2010 to ensure GM foods were appropriately labelled. Only a few weeks ago the Greens spoke out about concerns that regulators weren’t scrutinising new GM technologies. While genetic modification can be an important medical technology, the Greens have concerns about GM application in agriculture. Caution in regard to GMO is appropriate and necessary. Regulation of GMOs should always be evidence based and in the best interests of consumers and the environment. The Greens understand the ongoing issues around preserving farmers’ choice, clear labelling so consumers know what food they’re buying, liability and the commercial ownership of intellectual property for specific GM seed products. The 2015 National Conference confirmed the Greens’ commitment to a safe food future including taking a precautionary approach to GMOs." WA organic farmer Steve Marsh AND to those who say the Greens are silent on GMOs and the relating court cases to do with contamination among other things: WRONG AGAIN. Greens are nearly always there but the media blocks us and environmental groups fear being political so they shy away from us. It's incredibly hard to be heard. Bob Phelps from Gene Ethics recognises our support and we are very grateful to him. Rachel Siewert is an excellent commentator on things GM. There was a landmark case in WA back in 2014 and the ABC reported her comment. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-29/greens-unhappy-with-gm-decision-affecting-organic-farmer/5485796 But according to ECO Watch you wouldn't know the Greens existed! AND that's just plan CRAZY considering the Greens are the only ones fighting against GM in parliament! Some people are never, ever happy....or they just can't see help when it comes their way! http://ecowatch.com/2016/02/12/monsanto-lawsuit-gmo-contamination/