Tasmania’s GMO Moratorium: 17 Good Reasons

Summary

The Tasmanian GMO Moratorium has served the interests of the state well. The ‘clean and green’ image of Tasmania continues to grow from strength to strength. This branding is underpinned by consumer, visitor, and investor perceptions. These perceptions continue to be validated by Tasmania’s GMO Moratorium. GM technology lacks a social licence and is a cause for social friction. GM food is not wanted by consumers. GMOs attract a price penalty in the market place, and they contaminate non-GM farms and the food chain. The two GM crops in Australia are GM canola and GM cotton. The former is in decline (5% per year) and the latter is in decline (down 53% from the peak of 2010) and exhibits a highly volatile and erratic pattern of uptake. The relaxation of the WA Moratorium in Western Australia in 2010 (and subsequent relinquishment) has meant that there is now no GM-free canola available in WA. The so-called non GM canola (which is most of the WA canola) is contaminated by GM canola up to 0.9%, and the non GM canola seed sold to WA farmers is contaminated by GM up to 0.5%. It is claimed by GM advocates in WA that successful segregation is “impossible” (and they may be right). GM canola is a crop dependent on the herbicide glyphosate. The application of glyphosate is a required part of the production cycle for GM canola. Glyphosate is a carcinogen that also causes multigenerational disease and adverse health outcomes. Tasmania can produce premium quality food and be rewarded with premium prices. This can achieve the agricultural goals and aspirations of the State. Organic food is the ‘gold standard’ for premium food and attracts price premiums of 100%, and more. The global organic market is undersupplied and this is an opportunity for Tasmania (and others). Australia is the world leader in organics uptake, and Tasmania is well placed to grow its organic sector. GMOs are a threat to organic farming. It is recommended that the GMO Moratorium is retained and continued in perpetuity (i.e. renewed without a sunset and review clause). In this way producers and investors have a degree of certainty that can encourage investment in growth and marketing of Tasmanian produce as ‘clean and green, and as premium and GM-free. Seventeen reasons for maintaining Tasmania’s GMO Moratorium are presented.