Earlier, the Australian Government allowed commercial cultivation of biotech crops throughout the southern part of Australia.
This change came after the Government made various efforts to lift the ban last year, giving South Australia a similar policy to the entire Australian mainland. .
The decision to lift the ban (after 16 years) was issued after an independent review showed that rapeseed alone, the loss of about $ 33 million since 2004.
Mr. Tim Whetstone - Minister of Basic Industry participated in negotiations with the opposing parties to come up with the most feasible plan. In a statement, he said: “ After 16 years and millions of dollars in economic losses as well as missed research opportunities, this is an historic and important day for South Australian farmers - those People can now choose to plant the most suitable varieties for them in the future. The decision also provides farmers with legal certainty so they can continue to invest in planting biotech seeds and planting them from next year’s crop (2021). ”
Oilseed fields in Australia - Source: ABC Rural
CropLife Australia chief executive, Matthew Cossey, said that the plant sciences were delighted that the scientific basis and evidence for biotech crops in South Australia was finally given priority.
“With unfavorable weather and climate change that will make farming more difficult, growers in South Australia need access to all the safe and effective technologies that can support them. in a more sustainable way. The lifting of the ban will not only bring economic benefits to farmers, but will also put South Australia on an equal playing field with other states on the Australian continent that have access to biotechnology in at least one. decade." - Mr. Matthew emphasized.
Farmers rejoice
Farmer groups said this was an "especially important" day. Grain Producer SA CEO Caroline Rhodes said: “Today, we finally saw a groundbreaking decision we have been campaigning from 2004 to now.
In South Australia, when the sowing time is over, farmers will not be able to immediately start planting biotech crops for the crop. But I know for sure, farmers are excited and looking forward to experimenting with biotech rapeseed crops - varieties that are very popular in other parts of Australia and experience the innovations that this technology has. will bring to South Australia. ”
Mr. Robin Schaefer, manager of Bulla Burra Farm, Loxton, South Australia - Source: ABC News
“What worries me is that we will not create a situation where there are localities that will decide to plant biotech crops and there are localities that are not in the same state, otherwise this will cause quite a lot of obstacles. great for management in all aspects, ”added Mr. Robin Schaefer.
Biotech crops have enabled farmers in other states and around the world to improve yields, reduce carbon emissions, use more natural resources and pesticides, and protect pines. through uncultivated farming for decades.
Biotech crops benefit not only farmers but also the environment. And now farmers in the continent of South Australia will have access to these important agricultural technologies.
For more than 20 years, approved biotech crops have been grown in Australia and around the world, whereby 183 million hectares of land have been saved from plowing.
This has resulted in improved water storage, a significant reduction in soil erosion and primary forest being saved from becoming agricultural land. Biotech crops have saved 27 billion kg of CO2 emissions - the equivalent of eliminating 90% of passenger cars operating in Australia in a year.
The biotech crops being tested and developed can help South Australian farmers combat environmental stressors such as drought, acid soils, salinity and frost, and provide health benefits to consumers. with products like high-nutritious cereals, healthier starches and oils adjusted to lower saturated fats and improved cooking quality.
Local governments will still be able to opt out of biotech crops in their area by proposing to become a "non-biotech crop area".
However, this proposal must be made within 6 months of the effective date of the regulation and the final decision will be up to the Minister.
