LEGISLATION to repeal the Genetically Modified (GM) Crops Free Areas Act is due to be tabled in the WA parliament.
Sources close to the case said they expected the repeal Bill could be tabled this week in State parliament having passed through cabinet this week but may not be debated until next February.
The repeal Bill could also be moved as part of an omnibus repeal Bill that may be tabled next week, aimed at cutting government red tape to reduce costs and increase efficiency.
WA Food and Agriculture Minister Ken Baston declined to comment on cabinet discussions to Fairfax Agricultural Media but said the WA government was committed to repealing the Act.
“There are several steps required to repeal an Act and we are currently well advanced in terms of working through this process,” he said.
“I believe that the Western Australian grains industry is now sufficiently mature to manage its international markets without the intervention of Government and therefore believe there is no longer a need for this marketing-based legislation.
“Once a crop is deemed safe by the Federal regulator, I firmly believe growers should have the choice to plant those crops that most suit their production system.”
Moves to repeal the Act are being pushed by farm groups who fear the legislation could be used by a future Labor government to re-introduce a ban on Genetically Modified crops in WA; especially if they needed the Greens’ support in the Upper House, to form government.
WA Labor has threatened to use the laws to stop WA growers accessing the technology, if they were to be voted in at the next State poll in 2017.
Commercial production of GM canola was first allowed in WA by the current Liberal/National government in 2010, following successful large-scale on-farm trials the season before.
An exemption order was written by then Agriculture Minister Terry Redman allowing GM canola to be grown across the state.
Mr Baston has previously described the Act as “a piece of legislation purely designed for prohibition”.
Introduced in 2003, it provides the Agriculture Minister with powers to designate areas of the State where GM crops can't be cultivated, or specific GM crops.
It also gives the minister powers to destroy GM crops and imposes $200,000 penalty for recklessly or knowingly growing the technology in restricted areas.
According to figures provided by Monsanto Australia, the amount of GM canola planted in WA has steadily increased over time, with 86,000 hectares planted in 2010, 94,800/ha in 2011, 121,694/ha in 2012, 167,596/ha in 2013, 260,000/ha in 2014 and 337,000ha this year.
