The risks and uncertainties in marketing, environment, public health and ethics make genetically modified (GM) crops a high-risk, no-win game, according to Bob Phelps, a director of community-based research company GeneEthics. He said insurance companies and other sectors are all saying they don’t know enough about genetically engineered crops, and called for a “five-year freeze” until uncertainties are cleared up.

“Where there is an information vacuum, you should pause and reflect,” he said.  

Australian farmers risk losing profits when they take on GM crops. In many cases benefits promised by the Government and chemical giants do not come through. “Farmers across Australia are being pushed into farming GM crops.”   

The Gene Technology Act became effective on June 21, and Mr Phelps said the “precautionary principle” in the new law should be applied.