Sydney, New South Wales
July 17, 2007
The New South Wales
Farmers’ Association says farmers’ ability to choose whether
they should access genetically modified technology convinced
delegates to reinforce its policy in support of the removal of
the current moratorium at Annual Conference today.
President of the NSW Farmers’ Association Jock Laurie says the
Government’s appointment of an independent panel to review the
states Genetically Modified (GM) moratorium is a step in the
right direction.
“The panel seems to offer a good mix of skills and experience
with which to tackle the review, but we would reiterate that the
review of the legislation should be confined to the marketing
and trade aspects of the issue,” Mr Laurie said.
“The NSW, Victorian and South Australian GM moratoriums are all
set to expire in March 2008 and we will be arguing that these
Governments come to a collective decision given the interstate
trade and movement of grain.
The Association has provided independent and peer reviewed
reports to members, and is supporting a proposal for Federal
Government funding for grower workshops on the issue.
The NSW Gene Technology Moratorium Act 2003 (GM moratorium)
prohibits the deliberate cultivation of Genetically Modified
(GM) crops consumed by humans until March 2008.
“Delegates at Annual Conference have reiterated their support
for the removal of the moratorium, and we will heavily involved
in the review process,” Mr Laurie concluded. |
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