Cox Inall has assisted in a number of campaigns over many years to promote the value of GM technology for agriculture, especially for the Australian cotton and grains industries.

Recently, with efforts focused on GM canola, Cox Inall worked with key industry partners - including Agrifood Awareness - to document how industry can use its existing world-class protocols and procedures to enable the inclusion of approved GM canola into the supply chain and deliver market choice to all participants.

Cox Inall also assisted in the management of public affairs surrounding the issue, which has been elevated to ‘controversial status' by a vocal campaign from several community groups and well-funded organisations.

Despite the anti-campaign, the proven science is winning-out. The NSW and Victorian governments have both lifted their moratoria and farmers have quickly introduced these varieties into their farm management cycles. In just two years the adoption of the new, approved GM varieties increased four-fold: from 9,600 hectares in 2008 to 40,000 hectares in 2009. The Western Australian government is now conducting a limited field evaluation and a review of its Act governing GM crops.

Work continues using a range of ways and means to support industry in its resolve to have choice, to have access to new and proven technology and to be internationally competitive; and to ensure the industry and the wider community are well-informed about GM technology and its value to our society.