Tasmania agriculture is set to remain free of genetically modified organisms for at least five more years, with the State Government opting to extend a longstanding GMO ban. The Bill tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday has received qualified support from the state’s peak farming body, beekeepers and the Greens.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the Bill took into account the findings of last year’s review by the Department, which considered 160 public submissions and new market research.
“The review demonstrated that there is currently no imperative to change from having a moratorium,” he said. “The Liberal Government believes that a five-year moratorium is a commonsense approach that strikes an appropriate balance between the needs of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.”
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Mr Rockliff said the moratorium would be again reviewed prior to its expiry date in 2019.
Read the full, original article: Tasmania to remain free of GMO for at least five more years, Jeremy Rockliff announces
