For the last 18 years, NSW has imposed a blanket
prohibition on the commercial cultivation of all genetically
modified food crops, except those that have been specifically
approved. On 1 July 2021, this moratorium will lapse, catalysing a
new agricultural era.
The regulatory landscape
In Australia, the regulation of genetically modified
(GM) crops is governed by the Gene Technology
Agreement 2001 (Agreement). The Agreement, signed
by the Commonwealth and all Australian states and territories,
established a nationally consistent regulatory system for gene
technology.
In 2003, under the Agreement, federal, state and territory
ministers agreed to issue a policy principle recognising the rights
of the state and territory governments to designate zones for GM
and non-GM crops. In response, several states and territories
issued prohibitions on the commercial cultivation of GM
crops, with limited exceptions such as canola, cotton and
safflower. However, over the
