South Australia is GM-free-secure till 2025

Solid premiums are paid for GM-free vs GM canola

South Australia [SA] is set to extend its ban on the growing of GM crops until 2025 after a bill put forward by the Greens passed the Upper House by a single vote.

Extending SA's moratorium on GM crops till 2025 puts any final decision on GM back to Parliament where it belongs, says a press release from the NGO Gene Ethics. Without an extension and review process, the GM-free law would have lapsed on 1 September 2019.

"SA farmers, food processors and the whole community can win from SA remaining GM-free," said Gene Ethics Director, Bob Phelps.

"Solid premiums were paid for GM-free vs GM canola in Victoria, NSW and SA last week and these long-standing benefits are set to continue. (See quotations above.)

"For instance, compare Hamilton (Vic) and Tailem Bend (SA), which are close to each other and both distant from their respective ports.

"Hamilton silo paid farmers $530/tonne for GM-free and $466/tonne for GM canola, a premium of $64/tonne.

"And the Tailem Bend silo paid $545/tonne for SA's GM-free canola varieties - $15 more than Hamilton - which equates to a $79/tonne premium for being GM-free.

"There are also real 'Opportunities for Non-GMO Labeled Food Products from South Australia', as a University of Adelaide report found last year.(1)

"The Liberals were set to rescind the moratorium or allow it to lapse in 2019, sacrificing SA's competitive advantage in local and export markets.

"They promised a GM show trial next year which they would have used as a pretext to end the moratorium prematurely.

The inquiry will still be held but its findings must go back to parliament, not only the Agriculture Minister, where they will be subject to public and parliamentary scrutiny.

"A few farmers claim they suffer, without the choice to grow GM crops, but everyone else would lose from them growing GM.

"The majority have spoken and their GM-free decision should rule," Mr Phelps concludes.

Notes

(1) http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/282172/Executive_Summary_-_Adelaide_University_GM_Report.pdf

Source: Gene Ethics