13 December 2018

Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

Review of Tasmania’s GMO Moratorium

Today I released the terms of reference for the latest review of Tasmania’s moratorium on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Although previous reviews had found no reason to change Tasmania’s current moratorium, it is important we continue to monitor developments and listen to the latest views of our industry and the wider community.

Building on Tasmania’s reputation in the global market place for producing premium products that are safe, clean and reliable is a key to growing the value of agriculture to $10 billion per annum by 2050.

The Terms of Reference include:

1. The potential market advantages and disadvantages of allowing or not allowing the use of gene technology in Tasmanian primary industries, including food and non-food sectors;
2. Domestic and international gene technology policy relevant to primary industries;
3. Research and development relevant to the use of gene technology in primary industries;
4. Any other relevant matters raised during the review.

Tasmania’s current five-year moratorium expires in November 2019. The Government will release a Position Paper in early 2019, providing an opportunity for the community and industry to make submissions to the Review.

Under the National Gene Technology Scheme, Tasmania regulates a moratorium on GMOs for ‘marketing purposes’ and accordingly this is the focus of the review. Other aspects of gene technology which are regulated by the Australian Government, including human health, safety and environmental impacts are not part of the review.

Further information is available on the Department’s website at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au

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