The New South Wales (NSW) Government today announced that it would extend the current ban on the cultivation of genetically modified (GM) food crops for another two years, until March 2008.

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, said the extension was due to the fact that there had yet to be any on-farm research trials in NSW that explored marketing and trade matters. Such trials would provide farmers and the broader community with scientific evidence to help assess the potential benefits of GM versus non-GM food crops, if they exist.

“The State Government’s current legilstaion imposed a moratorium on the cultiation of GM food crops for commercial purposes until March next year,” Mr Macdonald said.

“The legislation does allow for exemption orders for research trials to explore trade and marketing issues.

“Last year, the State Government received a joint application for such trials of GM canola within NSW.

“The joint application involved two proponents and was thoroughly assessed by the NSW Agricultural Advisory Council on Gene Technology as per the terms of the legislation.

“While the State Government did approve three small trials included in the application, the proponents decided not to proceed.

“Since no on-farm research into the marketing and trade aspects has occurred in NSW, the State Government has decided to extend its legislation for another two years.

“This is a prudent and reasonable measure.

“The legislation will continue to allow for exemption orders by research purposes, and all applications for exemption orders will be assessed by the State’s advisory council before any decisions are made on whether to approve trials or not approve trials.

“Independent, science-based information about GM canola and other food crops is essental for the State’s farming community.

“Such trials will go a long way in helping farmers make decisions about the technology based on robust independent science, as opposed to fear and bias.”

Legislation to extend the Gene Technology (GM Crop Moratorium) Act 2003 will go before State Parliament later this year.