Councils make final bids to stay GM-free

There are still at least six councils - Adelaide Hills, Mount Barker, Barossa, Onkaparinga, Yankalilla and the City of Playford - that have applied to Primary Industries Minister David Basham to-date for an exemption.

Alexandrina, Victor Harbor, Berri Barmera and Gawler councils have also confirmed to Stock Journal that they too planned to apply, while Tea Tree Gully council was still consulting with its constituents.

Mr Basham recommended councils apply by September 30 to allow "adequate time" for the GM Crop Advisory Committee and the state government to assess the applications before its November 15 deadline.

He also stressed that any application needed to demonstrate "an economic benefit from businesses being able to claim the council area is an area where GM crops cannot be cultivated" to be considered.

Adelaide Hills Council said it decided to apply following a "unanimous" council decision last week.

Deputy mayor Nathan Daniell said the consultation had highlighted the "importance of protecting the region's reputation as a source of high-value, premium product with a clear emphasis on sustainability and environmental consciousness".

"Remaining GM free would protect this brand and maintain important market and trade advantages for our primary producers," he said.

AHC received 266 submissions in its consultation process, with 76 per cent opposed to lifting the GM ban.

"Business and association feedback, particularly the Adelaide Hills Wine Region submission, have clearly stated that allowing GM crops into our region will negatively impact on their market and trade potential," Mr Daniell said.

"The AHWR demonstrated that failing to achieve an exemption would put $10 million of Adelaide Hills world-class wine exports at stake.

"Seeking this exemption is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity where our region has a lot to gain and little to lose."

Mr Daniell said surrounding councils of Mount Barker, Alexandrina, Barossa, Yankalilla and Onkaparinga were all planning to apply in a bid to create a "regional non-GM designation" to "strengthen the marketing advantage of the Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Fleurieu regions as a premium food and beverage destination".

Victor Harbor mayor Moira Jenkins said her council also supported that idea and would be applying for an exemption, as will Berri Barmera Council, with mayor Peter Hunt saying his electorate had limited need for GM technology being a predominantly grape-growing region, but more to gain from strong GM-free marketing.

Alexandrina mayor Keith Parkes agreed if the councils grouped together to remain GM-free, a marketing plan would need to be formed "to make sure primary producers benefited from it".

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Last week, the Alexandrina Council decided to apply after a 5 to 6 vote for keeping the moratorium.

Mr Parkes said consultation had also been "very even", but swayed more to retaining the moratorium.

"But a lot of the consultation wasn't around economic benefit, there was more input on food quality," he said.

"We weren't given enough time or resources to do an exhaustive financial survey. So we will now submit the input we received from our consultation and references from the council meeting."

Finniss graingrower and dairyfarmer David McHugh was "very disappointed" Alexandrina Council planned to apply for GM-free status.

"We would like to have the option to grow GM crops, like farmers in the rest of the country," he said.

"This is not just about RoundUp Ready canola technology, we don't want to miss out on other traits such as frost, salt, drought and rust resistance in the pipeline."

Mr McHugh grows 620 hectares of canola in a 2500ha cropping operation.

He was dubious about the GM-free region proposal.

"Does that then become the responsibility of the council or will they hire someone to find that market advantage? Seems like nonsense to me," he said.

Hartley cropper Tim Harvey was also disappointed with the Alexandrina Council decision, saying the survey results were not entirely fair.

"There was a lot of anonymous feedback and interstate submissions, which is funny that they have a say on a council area they don't reside in," he said.

"Some arguments were also old ones being rehashed and had nothing to do with economic benefits to the region, of which broadacre agriculture is a big contributor."