The United States has taken further lead on climate, science and conservation with President Barack Obama using his executive powers to declare additional marine protected areas and increasing research funds for monitoring ocean acidification as part of push to deal with the impacts of pollution, climate change, and overfishing in our oceans.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne today announced an $85 million plan to help farmers bypass the big two supermarkets and sell direct to consumers.

"People care about where their food comes from and that local farmers get paid a reasonable price for it," Senator Milne said.

"Farmers don't have many options for selling their produce outside the low prices offered by the big supermarket chains.

WA Senators Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam say today's historic carbon price vote is the start of serious action on climate change.

"The passage of the Clean Energy Future package through the Senate represents a new beginning for our economy, with new industries and new jobs being created," Senator Rachel Siewert said today.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown, Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters, Senators for Western Australia Rachel Siewert and Scott Ludlam, and Member for Melbourne Adam Bandt spoke to the media about the Australian Greens National Conference in Fremantle, WA.

Topics included the allocation of preferences, the environmental threats posed by developments in the Kimberley, and the Nationals' call for a "discussion paper" on coal seam gas. 

Community Affairs Wednesday 23 February

Senator SIEWERT—You are probably aware of Mr Marsh’s case in Western Australia. It has certainly been a hot topic of conversation for many people in WA. Have you relooked at your processes or what level of involvement you have had since that case has come to light and since part of Mr Marsh’s property has been decertified?

The Australian Greens have today expressed concern about GM crops in WA after Kojonup farmer Stephen Marsh’s property lost organic certification as a result of contamination by neighbouring crops of genetically modified canola.

Australian Greens Agriculture spokesperson, Senator Rachel Siewert says the contamination further highlights a range of problems and concerns linked to the growth and sale of GM products in Australia.

The Australian Greens say many people don’t realise they are buying GM products in stores and supermarkets, with current labelling loopholes making it practically impossible for them to be avoided.

Senator Rachel Siewert, Greens Health spokesperson says the recommendations of the Independent Review of Food Labelling Law and Policy should be made public upon their presentation to the Australian New Zealand Food Regulation Ministerial Council meeting in Adelaide, ahead of a COAG decision on food labelling, which is due in February.

FOOD STANDARDS AMENDMENT - (TRUTH IN LABELLING— GENETICALLY MODIFIED MATERIAL) BILL 2010  - Second Reading

Senator XENOPHON (South Australia) (4.05 pm)—I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill and seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted.

Senator SIEWERT (Western Australia) (4.05 pm)—The incorporated speech read as follows—

FOOD LABELLING