South Australia to continue GM crop ban until 2019

(http://gmwatch.org) South Australia (SA) will continue its ban on genetically modified (GM) crops until at least 2019. SA is the only mainland Australian state to maintain a ban on GM crop production and trials.

SA Government Minister Leon Bignell said that the state's moratorium on GM crops gives producers an advantage in foreign markets, helps protect premium food and wine production and will allow grain producers to attract higher prices.

"We've got a strong reputation not just around Australia but around the world for producing clean, green premium food and we think having a moratorium on the growing of GM crops really helps us in that end," he said.

The Opposition said that they would also support the continuing ban on GM crop production, but that "it needs to be monitored."