MELBOURNE—A report recommending Australian farmers be allowed to grow genetically modified crops from next year has been released by the Federal Government.
Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran says the report brings together a wide range of current information on GM crops, particularly canola.
"Covering everything from regulation, supply chain management and market acceptance of GM crops to agronomic, economic and legal liability issues at farm level, this package is intended to make a well-informed contribution to the current debate about the GM crops," Mr McGauran said.
Queensland is the only Australian state in which GM food crops can be grown, with bans in place in NSW and Victoria under review.
"With reviews of the moratoriums under way in four states, Australian farmers will potentially start growing GM canola from 2008," he said.
Mr McGauran said Australian farmers stood to gain significantly from the introduction of GM technology.
But there is still strong opposition to GM crops from environmental groups and some health and nutrition experts.
Mr McGauran said the report, entitled GM Canola: An Information Package, provided a positive response to such opposition, pointing out that GM canola has been farmed in other countries for a decade without any reported health problems.
"The study concludes that Australia's main competitor, Canada, has been growing GM canola for 10 years without any appreciable loss of market share or prices, while enjoying significant agronomic benefits," Mr McGauran said.
The report produced by the consultancy firm ACIL Tasman says GM canola also offers solutions to problems facing conventional canola in Australia.
It listed advantages in winter crop rotations, saying weeds had become resistant to chemicals used in conventional canola cultivation, as had some plant diseases.
"This report adds further weight to the argument that State Governments should immediately lift their moratoriums on GM crops so that Australian farmers can have access to the benefits of this technology," Mr McGauran said.
"Australian farmers are extremely efficient and innovative producers, but to remain internationally competitive, need to be able to compete."
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