GAWLER Council could take the genetically modified (GM) crops debate to its residents, as it ponders asking for an exemption to new legislation which allows their cultivation.
State Parliament passed new legislation in May which lifted a 16-year moratorium on GM crop cultivation in South Australia, ending a more than year-long political tug-of-war.
As part of a deal with Labor to see the bill pass, the State Government gave local councils the ability to apply to primary industries minister Tim Whetstone to remain GM free.
A report presented at last night’s Gawler Council Infrastructure and Environment Service Committee meeting suggested joining with Playford and Barossa councils to hold public consultation with residents and industry to find a position on the GM debate and possibly apply for a joint exemption.
The report stated the councils were unsure on how lifting the moratorium would affect industry in their respective areas and wanted to pool resources to survey the community.
“GM crop technology produces drought and herbicide resistant plants. They can also improve salt intolerance, disease resistance, yield and nutrient use efficiency,” the report read.
“However, there are reservations as to the safety of GM crops for human consumption and, although licensing and approval is required following stringent testing, it has been documented that there exists widespread distrust of the product in the market/community.
“In addition, contamination of GM crops into adjoining properties is prevalent, creating issues with provenance resulting in litigation.”
Elected members voted on the matter after The Bunyip’s print deadline.
According to the report, councils have been advised Mr Whetstone will only grant exemptions if they can prove GM crops would have an adverse economic impact on the local area.
Councils have until November, six months after the GM crop legislation was passed, to apply for an exemption, otherwise the end of the moratorium will automatically apply.
Light Regional Council Mayor Bill O’Brien told The Bunyip while he foresaw no opposition to GM crop cultivation in his council region, the chamber was yet to decide on the matter.
This contradicted information in Gawler Council’s report which stated LRC had already voted to not apply for an exemption.
“It’s a very divisive issue and I don’t think we want to be in the middle of it or creating that issue if we don’t need to,” he said.
“At this stage we’re not hearing anything at all. I would be confident our rural sector would be very much in support of this legislation.”
Barossa Council wrote to Gawler on May 29 seeking its stance on GM crop cultivation inside its borders, with elected members also yet to decide its next course of action.
Mayor Bim Lange told The Bunyip while a joint public consultation process was possible, ultimately, the council would make its own decision on what’s best for the Barossa.
“We’ve had people who have already contacted council and made written submissions outlining their thoughts in respect to the impact it could have in the region,” he said.
“We’ll be including consultation with our neighbours because these things don’t stop at council boundaries. It has a flow-on impact with neighbouring properties.
“We would take into their account their views and see how best it fits within our region and our own ratepayers and land managers.”
Mr O’Brien took an opposing stance, saying it would be difficult for any council to justify having opposite rules to neighbouring jurisdictions.
“If the other adjoining councils don’t seek an exemption, it would be highly unlikely, if not impossible that we would achieve an exemption as a single council,” he said.
“Otherwise you’re going to have a patchwork quilt across the entire state that would look quite ridiculous if you think about it.”
A Playford Council spokesperson said the council was considering how to approach the situation and would conduct public consultation if needed.