April 2, 2013. Source: ABC News

www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-31/genetic-debate/4602694?section=tas

Tasmania’s dairy farmers are warning the state’s ban on genetically-modified organisms, or GMO’s, could disadvantage the sector over the next few years.

The Tasmanian moratorium on GMO’s was extended five years ago.

It’s due to expire next year, and will be put up for review in the next few months.

Paul Bennett from Dairy Tasmania has warned against another blanket ban on GMO’s.

He says researchers interstate have developed high-energy grazing grasses, and Tasmanian dairy farmers will be the only ones in the country who can’t access the fodder if the ban on GMOs is extended.

“Full use of all technology available is something we’d support,” Mr Bennett said.

Jan Davis from the TFGA agrees.

“We need to get productivity gains,” Ms Davis said.

Tasmania’s fruit growers have warned there will be consequences if the state’s blanket ban on genetically-modified organisms is revoked.

Lucy Gregg from Fruit Growers Tasmania says the state’s GMO free status is vital to overseas marketing campaigns.

“Certainly from the perspective of marketing to international markets, we do know from past experience that Tasmania has the moratoriums on GMO’s means that we can leverage into markets suchs as Japan and Korea and even into Europe,” Ms Gregg said.

The state government says details of the review will be announced shortly.