Monday 30th July 2001

GROUND BREAKING GM BILL GETS THE NOD

Democrat Ian Gilfillan’s controversial Bill enabling the South Australian Primary Industries Minister to declare any part of the State to be closed to the growing of genetically modified crops has narrowly passed through the Legislative Council and is likely to become law after further debate in the Legislative Assembly’s spring session.

The ground breaking legislation will ensure that South Australia’s important agricultural areas such as the Eyre Peninsula, the South East, the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island, can be protected from the spread of genetically modified organisms if grower organisations or local councils negotiate GM Free Zone status with the Minister.

Speaking after the successful vote, Mr Gilfillan was highly critical of the Government’s lack of action but said he was not surprised that Independent MPs and the Opposition, had supported the Bill.

"There has been a real sea-change of opinion on this matter over the last few months. A lot of farmers have been disturbed to find that there have been many more GM trial sites in their district than they realised and they are angry at the high handed attitude of the companies pushing the trials."

"The Minister has to be condemned for refusing to listen to what growers, horticulturalists and the majority of the agricultural sector have been asking him to do for months and intervene with a moratorium on GM sites until all the stakeholders have had a chance to put their position.

"Increasing numbers of the Government’s own supporters are pointing out the risks of adopting GM crops without thorough safeguards and they are stressing the major economic benefits of the GM Free label on South Australian produce.

"Consumer opposition to GM food products is spreading world wide and the success of my Bill through the Assembly will enable South Australian producers to tap into the premium prices paid for GM Free products."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Ian Gilfillan

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