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2008
 Moratoria Review Outcomes
In 2007, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria reviewed their moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM crops (or GM canola). The below provides an overview of each states review outcome.
New South Wales
In December 2007, the New South Wales Government amended the state’s Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003. The government extended the Act until July 2011 and replaced the GM canola specific moratorium orders with a blanket moratorium on all GM food crops. A moratorium therefore continues to exist in New South Wales, however, the amended legislation provides for the approval of the commercial cultivation of a specific GM food crop where the relevant industry makes an application which addresses criteria on industry preparedness to manage the GM food crop. The application is assessed by an Expert Committee which provides advice to the Minister for Primary Industries.
A representative of the canola industry made an application to the Primary Industries Minister for GM canola to be approved for commercial release in New South Wales. The Minister referred the application to the Expert Committee who assessed the application and provided advice to the Minister that the application met the specified criteria.
On 14 March 2008, the Minister announced the approval of the commercial cultivation of GM canola in New South Wales.
Genetically modified cotton has not been banned in New South Wales and has been grown commercially since 1996. As the New South Wales moratorium is specific to food crops it therefore excludes cotton.
For further information:
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/field/field-crops/oilseeds/canola/gm
AFAA submission to New South Wales Review Panel
2007 - Source: Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
South Australia
The South Australian Government reviewed its moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM crops in 2007. The state’s Genetically Modified Crop Advisory Committee prepared a report for the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry which examined any market and trade impacts on the introduction of GM crops. The committee recommended that the South Australian Government lift the moratorium except on Kangaroo Island. Despite the review recommendations, the Premier and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced that the moratorium would be extended until 2019.
For further information:
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/gmc
AFAA South Australian GM Crops Management Act consultation
2008 - Source: Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
AFAA submission to South Australian Review Panel
2007 - Source: Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
Victoria
In 2007, the Victorian Government established an Independent Review Panel to identify the impacts on the Victorian economy of the current moratorium, and any future moratorium. The final report prepared for the Victorian Minister for Agriculture stated that “The Panel finds no compelling market or price advantage that can be attributed to Australia’s non GM status as a bulk canola exporter over the past four years.” The recommendations by the panel included that the Victorian Government allow the moratorium on GM canola to expire. On 27 November, 2007 the Victorian Government announced that it would let the moratorium expire in February 2008.
For further information:
www.dpi.vic.gov.au/
AFAA submission to Victorian Review Panel
2007 - Source: Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited
2007
Moratoria Reviews
Aside from Queensland and the Northern Territory all other states in Australia have a moratorium in place preventing the commercial cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) canola or GM crops. These moratoria or bans were introduced in response to concerns regarding market and trade considerations – issues that are not addressed as part of the national regulatory system. Most of these moratoria were introduced four years ago and are now being reviewed.
In New South Wales and Victoria the governments have established independent review committees which have received submissions and are now reviewing the evidence. In South Australia submissions have been referred to the existing GM Crop Advisory Committee for its independent assessment. Final reports and recommendations will be delivered to the relevant Agriculture Minister.
Individual State submissions made by Agrifood Awareness Australia Limited can be found below:
2006
Report of the review of the Gene Technology Act 2000 27/04/06
The Gene Technology Ministerial Council (GTMC) is required to cause an independent review of the Gene Technology Act 2000, with the report of the review to be tabled in both Houses of Parliament. On 27 April 2006, the GTMC considered the review report and it was tabled in Parliament.
Copies of the report can be found at:
www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/gtreview-report.htm
Report of the Food and Agriculture Policy Reference Group 16/02/06
The Agriculture and Food Policy Reference Group has identified the principal issues and challenges that need attention if agriculture and food businesses are to be successful over the next ten to fifteen years. The nature of modern businesses and the environment in which they operate mean there is no single area of highest priority.
Copies of the report can be found at:
www.agfoodgroup.gov.au/next_generation.html
2005
Submission to the Agriculture & Food Policy Reference Group 18/07/05
Submission to the Review of the Gene Technology Act 2000 15/07/05
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