THE moratorium on genetically modified canola is holding back research and development into new varieties, says JEFF ARNEY

Western Australia's decision to lift the moratorium on genetically modified canola has left South Australia as the only mainland canola-producing state that bans the growing, transport and handling of GM canola.

WA is Australia's largest canola-growing state, with 975,000 tonnes grown this season.

GM canola has been approved for commercial production by the state governments of NSW, Victoria and now Western Australia, allowing their farmers to choose whether or not they wish to grow it.

The use of GM canola effectively provides a different crop solution for difficult-to-control and resistant weeds that are present across most cropping regions.

It gives us the opportunity to reduce our weeds - Round-up in crop is a valuable tool.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation has published 14 case studies on its website about the experiences of growers using GM canola. They said it gave them more flexibility in controlling weeds, particularly ryegrass.

South Australia is expected to grow 290,000 tonnes this season and this represents a key crop for grain growers.

Over the past few years, Australia has watched while the Canadian canola crop has doubled in size and changed from conventional to 90 per cent GM in six years.

The Canadian crop has been marketed into the same markets as Australian canola, at the same prices that we are receiving.

The development of new GM varieties with extra traits and adaptability will take five years and will specifically be developed for the production areas in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.

Commercial companies withdrew their investment from Australia to research and develop GM canola in 2004 and continued research and development investments specifically for North and South America with canola, soybean, maize and cotton.

If the moratorium exists in South Australia, specific varieties will not be bred for this state. South Australia might get varieties designed for the Victorian Mallee or the Wimmera and growers might have to use varieties that are not quite the right fit.

Research is expensive in states with the moratorium.

Australian canola growers have watched Canadian and USA growers benefit from good weed management which has made their farming system more robust, profitable and sustainable.

The global grain market is tough, but Australia is a net exporter of grains and must be equally competitive. All of our grain growers need similar technologies to our export competitors if they are to remain competitive on price and quality.

Internationally there has been no premium observed for non-GM canola.

It would be nice if SA and Tasmania growers received a premium for their non-GM canola, but I doubt this is the case.

The use of GM technology covers 120 million hectares across the world and is increasing.

Freedom of choice is important for all aspects of modern society. The moratorium in SA restricts this freedom for SA grain growers, particularly compared to NSW, Victorian and Western Australian canola growers who have no ban on growing GM canola.

There's a lot of interest in the technology from South Australian growers from an agronomic point of view.

It may cost a little more to grow, but the costs are offset by the benefit of having weed-free crops.

  • Jeff Arney is a South Australian grain grower 8km from the Victorian border at Bordertown.