Australia: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

The Australian federal government is supportive of biotechnology and has committed considerable long-term funding to research and development. The Australian Productivity Commission recently completed an inquiry into the regulatory burden on farm businesses focusing on regulations that have a material impact on the competitiveness and productivity of Australian agriculture, including the impact of regulations for genetically engineered (GE) products. Technical reviews of the Gene Technology Regulations 2001 and the relevant Standard of the Food Standards Code are currently being finalized to provide regulatory clarity involving new technologies. The South Australian government passed legislation in May 2020 to remove the moratorium in that state. GE crops can be grown in all areas of the state except Kangaroo Island.