Report Confirms Ban on GM Crops in South Australia Does Not Deliver Any Benefits to Farmers

The Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia (ABCA) and Grain Producers South Australia has commissioned independent expert market analysts in Mecardo to write a report that would provide facts and evidence on the presumed trade and marketing premiums achieved by farmers through the South Australian ban on GM crops in what to date has been a discussion based on hearsay and anecdotes. Thus, the report "Analysis of Price Premiums Under the South Australian GM Moratorium" has been released.

With the GM crop moratorium in South Australia, Mecardo's analysis provides evidence that while the ban is not facilitating South Australian farmers to achieving any price premiums, farmers also do not have the opportunity to experience the economic and environmental benefits of growing safe and approved genetically modified canola.

In direct comparison with similar markets in Victoria and Western Australia, where both GM and non-GM crops are grown, South Australian farmers do not achieve higher prices for their non-GM canola, wheat, barley, wine grapes, wool, cattle, or sheep and lamb. The report clearly states that should the ban on GM crops be removed, non-GM farmers would not be affected in any way. The report is also an evidence that co-existence between non-GM and GM farmers is working in Australia and that different production systems can exist side-by-side.

For more details, visit the ABCA website where a copy of the report is available.