28 April 2020
The plant science sector is very pleased that the South Australian Government and Opposition have found agreement on the way forward to enable commercial GM crop cultivation on mainland South Australia.
Chief Executive Officer of the national peak industry organisation for the plant science sector, Mr Matthew Cossey, said, “The plant science industry is delighted that finally science and evidence has prevailed on the GM cropping issue in South Australia.
“I commend Premier Marshall and Minister Whetstone for their leadership, perseverance and commitment to science-based farming policy which will give South Australian farmers access to the same opportunities as their mainland state counterparts.
“Opposition Leader, Peter Malinauskas, and Shadow Minister for Primary Industries & Regional Development, Eddie Hughes, are also to be congratulated for bringing the South Australian Labor Party back to being a political party of science and for supporting the state’s farmers in the important modernisation of public policy.
“While the compromise is not ideal or best-practice public policy, we acknowledge the constructive work that has occurred to find agreement between the Government and the Opposition.”
Mr Cossey concluded, “We look forward to this Bill passing the Upper House tomorrow so that farmers on mainland South Australia can have the choice to embrace this agricultural technology from next season.”