Coorong District Council’s primary producers will have the option of growing Genetically Modified food crops following a decision of Council at a Special meeting on 1 September 2020.

The decision comes after two rounds of public consultation were undertaken regarding whether an application should be made to the Minister for Primary Industries to become a ‘no GM food crop area’.

In announcing the decision, Coorong District Council Mayor Paul Simmons said he is pleased that Coorong District Council primary producers now have choice in accessing and growing Genetically Modified crops varieties.

“This decision is a reflection of the responses received through our thorough public consultation process, and now provides Coorong farmers and primary producers with the certainty and confidence to move forward with their business operations”, says Mayor Simmons.

“I want to thank all of our primary producers and industry stakeholders who participated in the public consultation by completing the survey, providing written submissions and making formal presentations to Council; this feedback was invaluable in assisting Council to make a decision on this important matter.”

While compelling arguments were made on both sides of the GM crops issue during the public consultation undertaken within the Coorong District Council, a majority of respondents indicated their support for the lifting of the GM crops moratorium, with 74.7% of the 84 respondents who participated in the second survey responding in the affirmative.

In May 2020, the South Australian Parliament passed legislation which lifted the moratorium on production of Genetically Modified (GM) crops within the state of South Australia.

SA councils were given the opportunity to apply to be designated a non-GM food crop area by 30 September 2020.

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Contact:

Bridget Mather
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | COORONG DISTRICT COUNCIL
Phone: 1300 785 277 | E: bmather@coorong.sa.gov.au