Farm Tender

Independent Report of SA's GM position released

An independent review of South Australia’s moratorium on the cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) food crops was undertaken in late 2018 by Emeritus Professor Kym Anderson AC.

The review evaluated the benefits and costs of the GM Moratorium to the South Australian economy and agricultural industries, and will enable better-informed policy decisions regarding GM food crops in South Australia.

A report of the review was released publicly on 20 February 2019.

The report provides a background into the current regulatory environment, a summary of the issues raised in the 216 public submissions received as part of the review, and assesses the economic impacts of the moratorium.

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The report contains 19 findings which are now being considered by the State Government.


Under the terms of reference, the review:
   * Assessed available evidence on the market benefits of South Australia’s moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM crops.
   * Assessed the degree of awareness of South Australia’s moratorium amongst key trading partners and food production businesses operating in South Australia and other Australian states.
   * Where there is evidence of market benefits resulting from the moratorium, examined whether it is possible to retain such benefits for industry through the use of systems of segregation in the supply chain, having regard to segregation protocols adopted in other jurisdictions.
   * Considered evidence from South Australian businesses and industry, market and trade data, the experience in other Australian and international jurisdictions and other relevant evidence to inform the analysis.
   * Explored whether there are potential innovations likely to be available for commercial adoption by South Australia’s agricultural industries prior to 2025 that would justify a reconsideration of the moratorium on grounds of economic benefit to the state.
   * Quantified where possible the economic costs and benefits of maintaining, modifying or removing the moratorium, not limited to but including on-farm impacts, food manufacturing, supply chain costs and impacts on research and development investment in South Australia.

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The review did not consider aspects of gene technology which are covered under commonwealth legislation, these include:
   * human health
   * safety
   * environmental impacts