Good News, Mates! Tasmania Extends GMO Moratorium Indefinitely!

Here’s a GMO victory for you, mates! The Tasmanian government announced yesterday that it will extend its temporary prohibition on GMO farming indefinitely, meaning anything you want to roast up on the barbie while in Tasmania will be free of those scary GMO ingredients.

Tasmania is the only state in Australia with such a ban, and has been since 2001 when a temporary moratorium was signed into place. The ban was set to expire in November of this year, but, “following a very clear consultation process with local farming and environmental groups,” it’s now a permanent moratorium!

Lin Thorp, a Tasmanian federal senator, noted that Tasmania can use its relative isolation and clean environment to “overcome the tyranny of distance and the difficulties of the size of our ventures” by producing GM-free food “that people are prepared to pay a premium for.”

Robert Heazlewood, head of Brand Tasmania, notes that consumers from around the globe are looking for safer food options, and Tasmania’s brand is already one of the strongest because it has been GMO-free for several years already.

“There is an issue within the world around whether you can trust the food you eat. We have such a strong reputation, our food and beverage brand is so strong, it would be silly to make any changes,” he said. “We know that, we survey it, we know it’s the most trusted food and beverage brand in the country.”

Hurrah to that! And the even better news? Some leaders want to see the indefinite moratorium become a permanent ban.

Nick McKim, leader of the Tasmanian Greens, told a local ABC radio station, “We’ve had GMO free status for some time – and it’s actually worked. And yes, rather than simply extending the moratorium, the best outcome for Tasmania would be to announce a permanent ban.”

Only time will tell what will happen, but for now we can celebrate that another little slice of the world has recognized the benefits of being GMO-free!

Image SOurce: toholio/Flickr