Tasmanian farmers were encouraged to embrace genetic technology yesterday, just hours after the state extended its moratorium on GE for a further two years.
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David Conley, corporate development manager of the industry/government-run Dairy Research and Development Corporation, told farmers at the “Your Future … A Vibrant Dairy Industry” conference in Burnie that GE was the key to the future.
Given the way the world is changing, he said, the state would be lucky to maintain a long term ban on GM. Because of this, he urged farmers to get to grips with the new technology as soon as possible, even though “it’s probably five years […] before you have to make a critical decision.”
Conley stressed that remaining competitive was the key goal for farmers, and that this will be done by increasing production. He questioned whether organic farmers opposed GM because of the market opportunity opposition provided.
In relation to consumer worries over GM foods, Conley said that community polling indicated only a “low latent concern” over the technology.
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