In a significant boost for local producers and exporters, our Genetically Modified Organisms Control Bill 2019 passed through Parliament today, extending Tasmania’s moratorium on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) for 10 years.
Our GMO-free status is an important part of the Tasmanian brand, offering a marketing advantage for our high quality, high value primary industries.
Extending the moratorium for a decade provides certainty for the producers and businesses that rely on the state’s GMO-free status to continue to invest, employ staff and further develop premium markets.
In a further boost for Tasmanian exporters, the Government will also regulate the use of SDN-1 modified organisms in Tasmania.
There will continue to be regular reviews of developments in gene technology, markets and consumer sentiment, which can trigger a review of the policy if warranted.
The decision to extend the moratorium follows a comprehensive review and consultation carried out by the Department of Primary Industries, which received 76 submissions, with an overwhelming number of respondents in favour of extending the moratorium.
The review found the benefits of maintaining the GMO moratorium in Tasmania greatly outweighed the risks or any benefits from ending the moratorium.
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government has a long-term plan to grow the annual value of our agricultural sector to $10 billion by 2050, and the latest Agri-food scorecard show our plan is working. In contrast the Labor-Green opposition have no plan, they stand for nothing and simply cannot be trusted.
More Media Releases from Guy Barnett
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water