AGRIBUSINESS Australia chief executive officer Tim Burrow wants to see a greater focus on the agriculture sector in the lead-up to the state election on March 17.
“Considering the sector’s contribution to the economy, we’re not getting enough airplay,” he said.
Mr Burrow wants to see three main areas affecting the sector addressed by political parties – innovation, infrastructure and community interest.
As part of the innovation call, Agribusiness Australia would like to see SA’s moratorium on genetically-modified crops lifted.
“No minister has the right to ban a globally accepted technology,” Mr Burrow said.
“We segregate different grains and varieties successfully, so there’s no reason why we can’t do that with GM crops.”
Labor’s pledge of $150 million of equity for a new SA Ports Authority to oversee the development of ports, including a new multi-user, deep water port in the Spencer Gulf, was welcomed, but Mr Burrow said road and rail systems also needed attention.
“It would be good to see a new port that can hold capesized vessels but SA has ports that aren’t being used at the moment,” he said.
“Having the right infrastructure in place is critical if we want a competitive edge. But we seem to be living with infrastructure from our forefathers’ time.”
Mr Burrow said policy makers, along with industry, needed to fund programs to educate South Australians on the opportunities in agriculture.
Keeping power costs down and improving phone and internet coverage in rural areas was also crucial.
