State and territory moratoriums on genetically modified (GM) crops are
placing Australia?s agricultural sector at serious risk of being left behind
by our international competitors, according to Federal Minister for
Agriculture, Peter McGauran.
Addressing a biofuels forum in Canberra, Mr McGauran welcomed the
recent decisions by Victoria and Tasmania to review their GM crop bans and
called on other jurisdictions to follow their lead.

"If Australian farmers are to remain internationally competitive they
must be able to obtain the full benefits of biotechnology," Mr McGauran
said.

"Australian farmers face considerable challenges ? including competing
demands for water, increasing soil acidity and salinity, new and adapting
pests and diseases, and strong competition in our export markets.

"As the world?s population increases, there is demand for more, and
healthier, types of food.

"There will also be demand to use crops for energy production and for
new industrial and pharmaceutical uses. Biotechnology is helping to provide
answers to these challenges."

Mr McGauran said the States and territories must remove moratoriums on
GM crops to allow farmers to choose which crops they want to grow, and
provide researchers and investors with a clear pathway to the marketplace.

"Australia is at serious risk of being left behind as a competitive
agricultural exporter if we do not take full advantage of this powerful
technology."

Mr McGauran stressed that Australia, through the Office of Gene
Technology Regulator, had an extremely comprehensive regulatory system to
assess the risks to human health and the environment posed by biotechnology.


[nqr.farmonline.com.au]