Report Backs GM Crop Cultivation In Australia

Moratoriums on commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops in Australia should be lifted, according to a report prepared by the Agriculture and Food Policy Reference Group (AFPRG) and submitted to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in February 2006.

Several GM food products are consumed in Australia but only GM cotton and GM blue carnations are grown commercially. Notwithstanding the Commonwealth’s national biotechnology strategy to develop biotechnology in Australia and the approval of two licences for GM herbicide-tolerant canola varieties for commercial release by Australia’s Gene Technology Regulator, five Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory have moratoriums (of varied stringency) on the commercial cultivation of GM crops. Resulting confusion has led to the withdrawal of investment for agricultural research and development in Australia by some companies.