NSW in a parallel universe on GM crops

Similarly, nobody tried to reconcile the supposed clear path to market with the fact that the minister continues to have the right of veto over whether a GM crop can be grown and that gaining such approval is strewn with obstacles.

On that, the Act requires the industry to demonstrate it has identified the requirements of key domestic and international markets, identify the threshold levels for accidental or unintended presence of GM traits in food plants, establish a supply chain management process to address accidental or unintended presence thresholds, and show it has obtained any relevant approvals or other authorisations regarding the importation of GM food.

Fairly obviously, this means a group of entrepreneurial growers wanting, in the future, to take up an opportunity to grow a GM crop already found by the Commonwealth to be safe, will still face immense barriers – including convincing their own industry to support them. It requires neither brains nor courage to say no.

The NSW government has limited expertise in agricultural trade and almost none in international trade. That would not be a problem if it allowed markets to operate normally. The only reason it got involved in regulating GM crops was because of fears that canola growers would lose market access. As one speaker acknowledged, that has not eventuated and fears have subsided. But getting a government to stop regulating something is a lot more difficult than getting it to start.

As I have written previously, declining productivity in agriculture is quite a problem. The former Chief Scientist of Australia, Professor Robin Batterham, recently told a conference that even our national security may depend on growing more food to feed expanding populations, so as to limit civil unrest resulting from rising prices. And yet our productivity growth has been zero to negative for years.

A recent Australia Farm Institute study of private sector investment in agricultural research and development recommended the removal of restrictions on GM crop development and the rationalisation of GM crop R&D approval processes, to help address this.

Yet a GM crop that is confirmed to be safe by the Commonwealth cannot be grown in NSW without ministerial approval, with fines up to $137,500 and two years’ imprisonment for anyone who does so. Departmental inspectors also have the power to enter and inspect premises to determine whether the Act is being complied with.

Australian agriculture faces many obstacles, including droughts, floods, pests, fires and the vagaries of currency fluctuations and long distance freight. But none of these compare to ignorant, interfering governments. They are in a class of their own.