Time to rethink SA ban on genetically modified crops, says Liberal MP Dr Richard Harvey

A NEW Liberal MP — with a PhD in microbiology — has urged a rethink of SA’s ban on genetically modified crops, saying opponents are often motivated by “emotion and fear” rather than facts.

A FRESHMAN Liberal MP with a PhD in microbiology has urged a rethink of SA’s genetically modified crop ban, saying opponents are often motivated by “emotion and fear” rather than clear facts.

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone told The Advertiser he’d met with four possible candidates to head a promised review into the ban, which will examine claims SA gets an economic gain from being GM-free.

Liberal MP and University of Adelaide graduate Richard Harvey won the seat of Newland, based around Tee Tree Gully, from Labor’s Tom Kenyon at the state election in March.

Parliament last year extended SA’s controversial GM ban to 2025, keeping its status of the only mainland state with a moratorium. Tasmania also has a ban.

In his maiden speech to Parliament, Dr Harvey said: “As one of the very few scientists who pursue a career in politics, I also believe it is my duty to stand up for rational, evidence-based decision-making and against misinformation, pseudoscience and fearmongering”.

“(One) area of concern is the impact of unfounded fears around the use of genetically modified crops,” he said.

“For thousands of years, humans have genetically manipulated plants by crossbreeding different varieties to select for certain desirable traits.

“In recent times, new tools have been developed that simply make this process much faster, much easier and much more targeted.

“Experience in other jurisdictions has demonstrated that GM crops deliver enormous economic and environmental benefits.

New Liberal MP Richard Harvey with his family after his election win. Picture: Calum Robertson

“It is quite inconceivable that those who claim to care for the environment will be those most violently opposed to GM.

“There are passionate arguments from both sides, (but) the debate needs to at least be based on evidence and reason and not emotion and fear.”

Mr Whetstone said the review would be “as wide as it needs to be to get an independent, clear assessment of justifying whether the moratorium remains”.

Labor MP and former agriculture minister Leon Bignell said the state’s GM ban was “not about the science” but “about the political science”.

“I have been overseas on trade missions, and one of the great selling points we have is that SA is the only mainland jurisdiction in Australia that is GM free, phylloxera free and fruit fly free,” Mr Bignell said.

“Once you let the genie out of the bottle ... you cannot put that genie back into the bottle.”