GM crops legalised in SA after bipartisan deal, with local councils still able to apply to keep ban
After months of argument, a ban on GM crops in SA will be lifted as the State Government accepts changes proposed by Labor that allow local councils to make up their own minds.
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Growing genetically-modified crops will be legalised in SA after the State Government accepted changes, proposed by the Opposition, that allows local councils to apply to keep the ban.
In a surprise twist in State Parliament on Tuesday, a bipartisan deal was confirmed that will allow canola farmers to begin planting GM crops ahead of the 2021 harvest.
It follows a torrid political fight over GM in SA at the end of last year, in which the Government made failed attempts to lift the ban using both legislative and regulatory tools.
Opposition Leader Peter Malinauskas’ plan will effectively lift the GM ban in SA, but allow local councils to apply for an exemption.
Kangaroo Island will keep the ban, because producers strongly believe they can cash in on an established clean and green brand.
“We wanted the ability for local regions who believe they get an economic benefit from GM-free status to have a means by which they can preserve it,” Mr Malinauskas said.
“It will ultimately be up to those regions and the local producers within it.
“Good policy should be informed by the science, whether it be climate change or other areas.”
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said the State
Government has negotiated with the Opposition in good faith over amendments.
Local councils will have a time-limited ability to apply to be a GM crop cultivation free area, but Mr Whetstone will have the final decision about whether those exemptions are approved.
“This agreement is a great outcome for SA farmers who will have the opportunity to reap the benefits of growing GM where that is best for their business,” Mr Whetstone said.
“The legislation will provide farmers with the regulatory certainty they need to invest in GM seed and plant GM crops in time for the 2021 grain growing season.
“After 16 years and millions of dollars in lost economic and research opportunities, it is a historic day for farmers in this state who can look forward to the choice.
“By giving our farmers more tools in the toolbox we are backing them to boost the agriculture
industry as they battle drought and a changing climate, grow the economy and create jobs.”
When Labor first proposed the new GM plan, Premier Steven Marshall said: “I’ve heard some pretty stupid ideas in my time, but this one would have to take the cake”.
Mr Malinauskas said the deal was evidence he was making good on a promise to be a “constructive-style Opposition Leader”, and not simply a bloody-minded obstructionist.
“We believed that the Government's original policy wasn’t a 100 per cent result.
“So we proposed a change, rather than rejecting the entirety (of it).
“I am grateful that Steven Marshall has fundamentally changed his position.”
Labor’s position also has the support of maverick MP Leon Bignell, who has been a long standing opponent of GM. His seat of Mawson takes in Kangaroo Island.
An independent review commissioned by the State Government after the 2018 election found claimed price premiums for GM-free were limited and the ban had cost SA grain growers at least $33 million since 2004, with $5 million in more losses predicted if extended to 2025.
Research scientists have also urged the ban be lifted, saying it adds heavy red tape.
In a position paper on the Labor plan, Grain Producers SA chief executive Caroline Rhodes wrote that “growers deserve the freedom to grow the … best fit their farming system”.
“While the SA Labor policy position is not in absolute alignment with GPSA, we believe this model may represent a politically acceptable compromise to enable commercial cultivation of GM crops not otherwise permissible under current law,” she wrote.