Tasmanian Honey Producers Fear GE Pollen

DONALD - Mar 7/01 - STAT -- Using bees to help pollinate genetically engineered canola fields in Tasmania has sparked a fierce local controversy about the potential for bees to become contaminated with pollen from the plants.

Two companies marketing genetically engineered canola and conducting trial in Australia, Monsanto and Aventis are said to have convinced many beekeepers in Tasmania to place their hives close to fields of genetically engineered canola in hopes production would be boosted.

Unfortunately, European researchers believe honey can contain pollen, in this case from genetically engineered plants. This is an important consumer issue in Europe and has the potential to reduce demand for Tasmanian origin honey.

While Family and Community Services Minister Amanda Vanstone does not believe there is a problem, other politicians see this as a major issue, threatening the livelihood of local beekeepers.

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