GRAIN Producers SA chairman Wade Dabinett says Tuesday was one of the worst days in SA grain industry history, following the government's decision to extend the moratorium on genetically-modified crops to 2025.
The SA parliament’s House of Assembly passed Greens MLC Mark Parnell’s Genetically modified crops management regulations (postponement of expiry) Bill, to ban GM crops in SA, with no division.
The move means SA will be the only mainland state with a ban on GM crops for the next seven years, unless another bill to revoke the moratorium is approved by both houses of parliament.
Mr Parnell was pleased with the result and said it was “good news” for all SA primary producers.
“(This is) because one of the best marketing opportunities for the whole of our agricultural sector is the fact we are the only GM-free mainland state,” he said.
“And that reputation and the advantage it gives us goes a long way beyond individual crops where GM is involved.”
He said the whole state would benefit from the label ‘SA is a GM-free state’.
“I’m not afraid (of the moratorium being overturned) because all the evidence I’ve seen is that the moratorium benefits SA, and those benefits are going to increase rather than decrease,” he said.
But Mr Dabinett said as a farmer he felt “insulted” by SA politicians and the decision.
“It’s unbelievable we are all being held back, just for a bit of political gain, when they’re not even doing the numbers to show widespread community support,” he said.
“I’m being told I can’t grow GM canola or GM potatoes on my farm in Parilla, but I could if I picked up my farm and put it 20 kilometres away (across the border).
“We have articulated our case pretty well and unfortunately those who have supported the GM moratorium can hang their heads low because they haven’t done the work.”
Opposition agricultural spokesperson David Ridgway was disappointed by the outcome.
“I’m mostly disappointed it has been extended and the parliament gets the say, but also that Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell hasn’t had the courage or the common decency to speak to the industry he is making a decision on,” he said.
In parliament, Mr Bignell thanked Mr Parnell for introducing the bill. “As a government we have to stand on the side that protects the majority of people,” he said.
Ali Kuchel
Journalist at the Stock Journal, passionate about all things farming and equestrian also doubling as a photographer.
Journalist at the Stock Journal, passionate about all things farming and equestrian also doubling as a photographer.
