Advocacy
GPSA represents the interests of grain producers by engaging with decision-makers of all tiers of government to advocate for better outcomes on policy and programs relevant to grain production businesses in South Australia.
GM crops
Key points
- The ban on the commercial cultivation of genetically modified crops has been lifted across mainland SA
- Restrictions on the commercial cultivation of GM crops will continue to apply on Kangaroo Island indefinitely.
- Growers are strongly encouraged to undertake GM crop accreditation courses offered by technology providers. These courses cover details on agronomic management and stewardship obligations. They must be completed before growers can access GM varieties.
- This decision is the culmination of years of advocacy by GPSA and the broader industry.
Resources for growing GM crops
PIRSA has established an information portal for producers looking to understand how to access GM crops, or for information on coexistence principals.
Further industry information on growing GM crops is available below.
- Roundup Ready Canola website has information on getting started and crop and resistance management plans
- Australian Oilseeds Federation website has grower guides, including the Canola Volunteer Control Guide.
- Australian Seed Federation for Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of GM Traits in Canola Seeds
- Grain Trade Australia for Delivering Market Choice with GM Crops
- Agricultural Biotechnology Council of Australia Resource Guide for the Official Australian Reference Guide to Agricultural Biotechnology and GM Crops
Mining on Agricultural Land – Land Access Inquiry
Key points
- A Select Committee was established to inquire and report on SA’s land access arrangements concerning mining and exploration activity on agricultural land, thanks to a push from the expanded crossbench in the Lower House of State Parliament.
- GPSA formally presented to the Committee on 19 July 2021.
- The Select Committee tabled their final report on 18 November 2021.
- The Select Committee’s recommendations strongly align with GPSA’s policy position.
- You can read GPSA’s submission to the Select Committee here.
Overview
The SA Parliamentary Select Committee on Land Access tabled their final report on 18 November 2021.
A Select Committee was established in early 2021 to inquire and report on SA’s land access arrangements concerning mining and exploration activity on agricultural land, thanks to a push from the expanded crossbench in the Lower House of State Parliament.
In their final report, the Select Committee made six recommendations which strongly align with GPSA’s policy position. The recommendations include;
Recommendation 1: A mining ombudsman
The committee recommends that a mining ombudsman office be established:
a. to oversee and enforce the regulation of exploration in accordance with the Mining Act 1971; and
b. to develop and administer a code of conduct for exploration; and
c. which incorporates the Landowner Information Service.
Recommendation 2: Protecting agricultural land
The committee recommends that the Department for Environment and Water be tasked with undertaking comprehensive mapping of existing land use and attributes with a view to the development of standalone planning legislation:
a. informed by investigation of the land access regimes of Queensland and New South Wales as elements of those regimes may be appropriate for South Australia; and
b. noting work already undertaken in relation to land use potential by the Department for Environment and Water and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
Recommendation 3: Landowner expenses and income
The committee recommends that:
a. the amount available to a landowner to obtain legal assistance in relation to exempt land be increased to $10,000 and expanded to include all professional fees; and
b. consideration be given to providing an ongoing income stream to landowners should a mine be developed.
Recommendation 4: Timing
The committee recommends that:
a. the notice of entry period before a resource company can access land be increased to 90 days; and
b. the code of conduct to be developed by the mining ombudsman require explorers to have regard for the impact of the time of year due to the seasonal work of farms.
Recommendation 5: Documents and a template agreement
The committee recommends that the mining ombudsman be tasked to simplify the documentation associated with the land access regime and increase understanding by:
a. working to rectify the complexity of documents and the difficulty in identifying landowners; and
b. developing a template land access agreement in conjunction with the Department for Energy and Mining.
Recommendation 6: Neighbouring properties
The committee recommends that resource companies undertaking exploration be required to consult
with landowners whose properties physically adjoin the land that is the subject of the exploration and
keep them informed of their activities.
The Select Committee’s timely recommendations will inform GPSA’s pre-election policy ahead of the 2022 state election.
The Select Committee’s final report is available here.
Committee Membership
As appointed on 02 March 2021, Select Committee on Land Access membership is as follows;
- Hon Geoff Brock
- Mr Fraser Ellis
- Mr Steve Murray
- Mr Peter Treloar
- Hon Tom Koutsantonis
- Mr Eddie Hughes
Biosecurity
The South Australian Government is in the process of developing a new Biosecurity Act with the aim to provide a simpler, modern and more effective legislative framework for the management of pests and diseases, plant and animal product trade, and response to biosecurity emergencies.
South Australia’s current biosecurity system is provided for by a number of different Acts, which can add complexity. The new Biosecurity Act will consolidate these Acts into a modern framework for managing SA’s biosecurity and provide a more cohesive and flexible approach to managing biosecurity risks.
GPSA has convened a Biosecurity Taskforce to identify growers’ key industry priorities in regard to the consolidated Act and to inform GPSA’s submission to Government.
More information on the development of the new Biosecurity Act is available on the PIRSA website.