The Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004 (external site) provides for the designation of areas of South Australia for the purposes of preserving the identity of certain food crops according to whether they are genetically modified crops or non-genetically modified crops.

A review of the Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004 (the Act) was conducted during 2007. The Government  considered the review report and other information and determined that the benefits of maintaining a prohibition on the cultivation of GM food crops outweighed the benefits of allowing it to lapse.

The Genetically Modified Crops Management Regulations 2008 (external site), which designate the whole of South Australia as an area in which no GM food crops may be cultivated, come into effect on 28 April 2008.

Any plant or plant material that forms part of a GM food crop grown outside South Australia, including seed for planting, harvested seed for cleaning, harvested grain for processing or export, or hay, is not permitted to enter South Australia.

Persons found guilty of bringing into South Australia any plant or plant material that forms part of a GM food crop grown outside South Australia can be fined up to $200,000.

Reports on the review

The Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004 Review: Report of the Genetically Modified Crop Advisory Committee (.PDF) is available to download. The report includes a summary of the review process and the background to the establishment of the Act.

A summary of public submissions following invitation to comment on the review is also available for download: The Review of Genetically Modified Crops Management Act 2004: Summary of Submissions (.PDF)

Copies of the reports can also be obtained from John Cornish, phone 08 8207 2361, mobile 0401 121 910 or email: cornish.john@saugov.sa.gov.au

The Information Paper about the review (.PDF) provides background on the Act and matters about which feedback was sought as part of the review of the Act.

The Progress Report, 30 August 2007 gives an overview of the review process, including a list of review respondants.