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GRAIN Producers SA (GPSA) launched a petition September 29th to support lifting the moratorium on growing genetically modified (GM) crops in South Australia.
The cultivation of GM food crops is prohibited in SA under the Genetically Modified Crops Management (Designation of Areas) Regulations 2008, which were made under the Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004.
In a statement, GPSA chief executive officer Darren Arney said the petition highlights producers’ need for freedom of choice on variety selection.
“Our members are becoming increasingly frustrated that they do not have the same freedom of choice in their farming systems that their interstate counterparts have,” he said.
“GPSA’s policy is that growers should have the freedom of choice to grow the cereal, legume and oilseed varieties that best fit their farming system. This means having access to genetically modified crops.
“South Australian grain producers have a long history of innovation and adopting new technology to improve productivity.
“However, in recent years, our capacity to increase productivity has slowed. As a result, we need to ensure we have access to all the latest technology to ensure our industry’s continued profitability and sustainability.
In a statement, GPSA lists the benefits to farming systems of using GM crops including increased weed control options and reduced reliance on chemicals for weed control; increased crop rotation options; increased production per hectare; increased competitiveness nationally and globally; and increased profitability for individual grain growing enterprises, which contributes to higher employment and jobs growth.
Read full, original post: SA grain group launches GM petition
