GE-free zones inhibit farmers' freedom: Avcare

Farmers need to be given freedom to grow their choice of crops - GM, organic or conventional - and this freedom is inhibited by GE-Free Zones being imposed by certain councils and local governments, according to Avcare.

Avcare, the National Association for Crop Production and Animal Health, released its discussion paper on GM free-zones (GEFZ) this week.

Dr Fay Stenhouse, Avcare's scientific and regulatory affairs director (crop production), said it was an informative paper for councils allowing them to look more closely at both the cost and the benefits of implementing a GEFZ.

The discussion paper estimates it could cost over $2 million to maintain a GEFZ. "We based the costing on the fruit fly exclusion areas common to Victoria, NSW and Queensland. But it is likely to be even more complex and expensive," Stenhouse said.

"Australian farmers must be given the freedom to choose which production system is best for productivity and production area, without being restricted or prohibited by the very local government that is elected to represent their interests."

Stenhouse said there were number of councils in NSW, Queensland and Western Australia that were seriously considering GMFZ. Tasmania, however, has declared the entire state GE-free.

"Tasmanian farmers and gardeners cannot grow their GM blue carnations," she said.

NSW Farmers Association's policy analyst Bill Golsby said the association's biotechnology committee was against imposing GMFZs because they precluded growers from receiving the benefits.

"GM crops can provide growers with a 10 per cent increase in production," he said. The association, however, does not yet have a policy on GM.

Stenhouse said that ultimately, genetically engineered crops could be considered even safer than conventional crops due to rigorous controls and regulations covering GE products.

"Genetically engineered, organic and conventional crops all have the right to co-exist with farmers and consumers making an informed choice on which methods suit their individual needs best," said Stenhouse.

"There is no local or overseas market demanding products from a GEFZ, which means there is no premium for non-GM products," she told Australian Biotechnology News.