Make GE-Free status long-term

Action on Trans-Pacific Partnership Risk Needed

The Tasmanian Greens today called for the state’s GE-free status to be made-long term, saying such a move would provide greater confidence for producers, investors and consumers.

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that now all three state Parties have announced they support the continuation of the current moratorium, it should be extended.

“The Greens welcome recent public statements by both Premier Lara Giddings and the Liberal Opposition Leader, Will Hodgman, supporting the retention of the current GE moratorium,” Mr Booth said.

“However, as called for by the Beekeepers’ Association President, Lindsay Bourke, the logical step to take is to make this moratorium long-term in order to ensure ongoing security for our producers and our clean, green and GE-free Brand status.”

“Rolling the moratorium over every five years, or even less, is counter-productive to the long term security of our GE-free status. It is this status which is the key to differentiation and access to high value premium national and international markets.”

“An extended ban will give farmers the confidence to invest in a long term GE free strategy,” Mr Booth said.

Mr Booth also raised concerns over the potential for the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), currently under negotiation, to threaten Tasmania’s GE-free status by providing an avenue for multi-national corporations to sue governments if legislation impacts upon their profitability.

“I am calling on the Minister Bryan Green to put some more pressure on Tony Abbott to not sign Tasmania’s rights away.”

“The Minister needs to investigate the potential impact of this Agreement, and lobby the Federal government to make sure any provisions allowing multi-nationals to sue governments are struck out.”

“Otherwise we could see the likes of Monsanto suing the government over any laws or regulations which they think restrict their ability to sell GE crops into Australia, such as Tasmania’s GE moratorium.”
Kim Booth MP Greens Primary Industries spokesperson