Queensland growers are in a unique position to take up new genetically modified (GM) crop opportunities, according to CSIRO Plant Industry Deputy Chief, Dr TJ Higgins (photo).

"Most state governments have implemented GM moratoria to prevent the growing of GM canola," Dr Higgins said.

"Queensland has remained somewhat free of this debate, largely because canola isn't a crop of importance in the state, and has no GM moratoria.

"This lack of moratoria places Queensland growers in a position to more rapidly take up new GM technologies – placing them at a considerable potential advantage when new GM plants are developed suitable for the region."

Dr Higgins addressed growers and advisors at the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Grower Update at Jandowae today.
 
"Don't discount GM crops without giving them a fair go as some will have benefits that cannot be achieved in any other way and competitors may develop and adopt them instead," Dr Higgins said.

He said CSIRO was investing in certain GM technologies because they had the potential to contribute significantly to healthier communities and more sustainable and profitable agriculture.

"The benefits some GM plants provide can often only be delivered through GM and some examples with potential relevance to southern Queensland include oilseeds with omega 3, phosphorus efficient pastures and insect resistant chickpeas," Dr Higgins said.

GM crops are now grown on more than 90 million hectares worldwide with the dominant GM countries being United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and China. Australia is a minor grower of GM crops.

The first commercial release of a GM crop in Australia was INGARD® insect resistant cotton in 1996.

The cotton industry has since adopted superior Bollgard® II insect resistant cotton varieties that now make up most of the Australian cotton crop and have reduced pesticide use over 80 per cent where they are grown. 

Despite the success of GM cotton, increasing concern and state moratoria have prevented the more widespread development, release and adoption of GM crops in Australia.

"CSIRO's Food Futures Flagship has developed prototype plants that produce DHA, an omega 3 oil important for human health," Dr Higgins said.

"This could lead the way to developing oilseed crops that produce DHA providing an alternative source of omega 3 – improving human health, reducing pressure on fish stocks that are the current source of omega 3 in human diets, and importantly, providing a potentially high value crop for farmers.

"CSIRO has also developed plants that can increase their uptake of phosphorus from the soil effectively unlocking the otherwise inaccessible 'bank' of soil phosphorus.

"Plants with this feature could help farmers save on the costs of fertiliser and the GM test plants have an enhanced ability to acquire phosphorus from organic forms that accumulate in soil."

Dr Higgins said another example in the pipeline included GM chickpeas with resistance to Helicoverpa.