An independent review of the genetically modified food crops moratorium in SA has been launched and it will be undertaken by agriculture policy analyst Emeritus Professor Kym Anderson.
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Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone said the independent review would evaluate the benefits and costs to SA’s economy and agricultural industries of the GM Moratorium.
“There is a need to have a balanced approach to the GM question and this independent review will provide an opportunity for people to provide real evidence as to the benefits or costs of the policy,” he said.
“Once completed, the review will enable better informed policy decisions regarding GM food crops in SA.”
Mr Whetstone said Professor Anderson was chosen for the review because he had significant, globally recognised experience as an applied policy analyst in the economics of agriculture, food and wine.
The review will access available evidence about the market benefits of commercial cultivation of GM crops and whether there are potential innovations likely to be available for commercial adoption prior to 2025, that would justify a reconsideration of the moratorium on grounds of economic benefit to the state..
The review will also quantify where possible the economic costs and benefits of maintaining, modifying or removing the moratorium, including on-farm impacts, food manufacturing, supply chain costs and impacts on research and development investment in SA.
However the matters human health, safety and environmental impacts are not within the scope of this review as the regulation of these aspects of gene technology are covered under Commonwealth legislation.
Written submissions are being sought from Monday, September 17, until Friday, October 26.
It is expected the review will be complete in early 2019.
