BY ALEX BAINBRIDGE
HOBART — While it poses as the heroic opponent of federal government support for genetically modified organisms, the Tasmanian Labor government is yet to take any concrete measures against it, or even against controversial trials of GM crops.
State environment minister David Llewellyn announced an "interim moratorium" on GMOs in Tasmania on June 28 and is planning to use the Plant Quarantine Act to declare GMOs prohibited within the state. However, as of July 14, the regulations governing this temporary moratorium had not been officially gazetted. Until that happens, trials of GM crops cannot be stopped.
Prime Minister John Howard has attacked the Tasmanian government for its stand, arguing that a GM ban would be contrary to the country's "international obligations" under various trade agreements. Other federal representatives have repeated industry arguments that GM technology is the way of the future and must be embraced by Tasmania and Australia if they are not to be left behind.
Tasmanian businesses are starting their own campaign. Tasmanian Alkaloids, a company which grows a strain of GM poppy, threatened to leave the state on May 30 if the government declared a ban (a hollow threat since poppies can't grow on the mainland). The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association and industry research company Serve-Ag also advocate GM technology.
Other companies are exerting contrary pressure. Diary producer Classic Foods made a much-publicised call on June 23 for the state to become GM-free. The Tasmanian Organic-dynamic Producers (TOP) and individual organic farmers — who grow a significant portion of agricultural produce in Tasmania — also strongly advocate a GM-free state.
There have been a range of campaign initiatives organised by GE-Free Tasmania, including large public meetings in Hobart, Launceston and other towns. Community opposition to GMOs was clear in the government-organised "Tasmania Together" series of community "consultations".
While the state government has been trying to get maximum mileage out of its supposed anti-GM stance, it has stated that it will wait until the Food Industry Council releases its report on GM foods before making up its mind. The report, originally due in May, now may not be ready until late July. The government has not indicated which other parties (if any) it is consulting on the issue.