Australia
June 14, 2007
State and territory moratoriums on
genetically modified (GM) crops are placing Australia’s
agricultural sector at serious risk of being left behind by our
international competitors,
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Peter
McGauran, said today.
Addressing a forum BioFutures – BioSolutions, in Canberra, Mr
McGauran welcomed the recent decisions by Victoria and Tasmania
to review their GM crop bans and called on other jurisdictions
to follow their lead.
“If Australian farmers are to remain internationally competitive
they must be able to obtain the full benefits of biotechnology,”
Mr McGauran said.
“Australian farmers face considerable challenges – including
competing demands for water, increasing soil acidity and
salinity, new and adapting pests and diseases, and strong
competition in our export markets.
“As the world’s population increases, there is demand for more,
and healthier, types of food. There will also be demand to use
crops for energy production and for new industrial and
pharmaceutical uses. Biotechnology is helping to provide answers
to these challenges.
“The States and Territories must remove their moratoriums on GM
crops to allow farmers to choose which crops they want to grow,
and provide researchers and investors with a clear pathway to
the marketplace.
“Australia is at serious risk of being left behind as a
competitive agricultural exporter if we do not take full
advantage of this powerful technology.”
Mr McGauran stressed that Australia, through the
Office of Gene Technology
Regulator, had an extremely comprehensive regulatory system
to assess the risks to human health and the environment posed by
biotechnology.
Today’s forum, organised by the Australian Government agency
Biotechnology Australia discussed ways in which biotechnology
could help address global issues such as climate change,
drought, pandemics, pollution and energy requirements.
It was attended by industry leaders, scientists, politicians and
policy makers. |
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