eNews
SA - GM-free until at least 2014
20 April 2010 SA commits to GM-free until at least 2014Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The South Australian Labor Government has again made a strong commitment to extending the present ban on genetically manipulated (GM) crops until 2014, at least. GM-free SA was a Rann Government election promise and this is one of
their first actions in this four-year term.
GM-free crops and foods give the South Australian food and wine industry a strong marketing edge. Their promotional campaign will build on the state's clean, green image. With GM-free canola in high demand at premium prices both here and in
overseas markets, SA will be a winner all round.
South Australia will have an edge over WA, Vic and NSW which have foolishly embraced herbicide tolerant GM canola that shoppers refuse to buy.
Gene Ethics' election survey results found detailed ALP government and Greens GM-free policies. Both parties undertook: 'to strictly enforce quarantine laws that
prohibit GM seed from entering South Australia; and to also ban the commercial release of other GM organisms until 2014 at least'. Vigilance at the Victorian border will be needed to Keep GM canola out of the state so a comprehensive exclusion
program should be a priority.
Most importantly, Labor and the Greens will also: 'increase government funding to develop more sustainable farming systems, including organic and GM-free'. There
is an urgent need for this research so that farmers can become less dependent on dwindling reserves of oil and phosphates. Sustainable systems should also restrain input costs for patented seed and proprietary chemicals as ownership and
control of the global commercial seed market intensifies.
With climates changing and world populations burgeoning the transition to sustainable food production systems is a top priority.
See: Rann Government commits to GM-free ahead of March 2010 election:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/06/2838396.htm