Greens Policy on Genetically Modified Crops

The Greens NSW Genetic Engineering in Food and Crops Policy promotes the precautionary principle as the basis for developing sustainable and ecologically balanced agriculture. At its core is an opposition to the patenting of life forms and the need for agricultural policy to be removed from the influence of biotechnology companies. The Greens NSW Policy:

GM cotton trial - today 95% of Australian cotton is GM

• opposes the patenting of life forms;
• supports extending the moratorium on the release of further Genetically Modified (GM) crops in NSW to not only cover food crops but also fibre and animal feed crops;
• supports retaining this moratorium until it is proved that GM crops can be contained and are safe for consumption by humans and animals;
• would give local councils the ability to declare their Local Government Area GM Free;
• supports independent scientific research into the potential risks and or implications of widespread GM production as it relates to human and animal health, the environment and food security;
• supports the development of organic production and ecologically sustainable methods of food production
• seeks the protection of non-GM farmers from contamination; and
• demands mandatory labelling on all GM products.

This policy aims to protect both Australian farmers and consumers from the risks presented by growing GM crops and consuming products sourced from GM crops. These risks include:

• Human and animal health impacts. The impacts of human and animal consumption of GM food have not been adequately assessed and further independent research is required.
• Contamination of non-GM crops. Cross fertilisation or contamination from wind blown or water spread seeds is already impacting on non-GM farmers.
• Super weeds that become tolerant to existing herbicides. Many GM crops are designed to be resistant to herbicides to allow weeds to be sprayed without killing the crops. Evidence is mounting of herbicide resistance by weeds meaning more powerful and more expensive herbicides will need to be purchased in future to control these weeds.

GM Regulation in Australian and NSW

The Gene Technology Act 2000 is the federal legislation that regulates all dealings with live and viable (Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Australia. It is administered by the Gene Technology Regulator (supported by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator, OGTR). The OGTR issues licences for both limited and controlled releases (eg field trials) and commercial scale releases of GMOs.

Today, in Australia, the crops which have been approved to be grown commercially are GM cotton and carnations, GM canola and a GM rose variety. In 2010, Australia was the twelfth largest GM crop producer with 8% of canola 95% of cotton produced being GM.

Many other GM crops are likely to be commercialised over the years ahead as the OGTR has approved 70 field trials of GM crops including sugarcane, pineapple, papaya, white clover,  Indian mustard, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, maize, barley and most recently wheat.

In New South Wales, the production of GM crops is controlled by the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003. This act was amended in 2010 to extend a moratorium on the commercial cultivation of licensed GM food plants 2021. The act however includes provisions to exempt licensed crops. GM canola and GM cotton have been approved to be grown commercially in NSW, and the cultivation of any other licensed GM crop can be permitted by an exemption order.

GM Wheat Trials now underway in NSW - SEE HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION