LOCAL farmers are fuming at State Parliament’s rejection of new laws which would allow them to grow genetically modified (GM) crops.

Primary industries minister Tim Whetstone announced in August the State Government would repeal the long-standing moratorium on growing GM crops across South Australia by December.

However, the plan was quashed on Wednesday when Labor, the Greens and SA Best all voted to keep the ban in the Legislative Council, despite an independent investigation revealing it had cost SA farmers $33 million.

Mallala canola farmer John Lush said the three parties were “playing politics” with farmers’ livelihoods.

“There’s no scientific reason not to do it, the rest of the world is doing it, so they’re just playing politics,” he said.

“They want to believe the science on climate change, but they don’t want to believe it on GM.

“You can’t have it both ways.

“What we have is people sitting in Parliament house making decisions on what crops we can and can’t grow.”

Mr Lush added he was speaking to other farmers about starting a clash-action lawsuit against the State Government “for interfering with trade and the profitability of private enterprise”.

He said ending the ban was also a surefire way to help farmers through the current drought, making it even more inexcusable to see the change rejected.

“The only technology we are really going to get some drought and frost tolerance into wheat and canola crops is through GM technology,” Mr Lush said.

“They’re going to deny us that opportunity when three-quarters of the farmers in Australia are just about growing broke because of the drought.”

SA Best Legislative Council members Connie Bonaros and Frank Pangallo have both stated they voted against lifting the ban because Mr Whetstone made the decision using a ministerial regulation, rather than through changing legislation.

“SA Best has decided to vote in favour of a motion to disallow regulations that would lift the moratorium on growing genetically-modified crops on mainland SA – a decision based entirely on  ensuring the due processes of Parliament are maintained,” Ms Bonaros said.

Mr Whetstone said Labor and SA Best were a “handbrake” on the state’s economy.

“Labor has shown its true colours with this anti-farming decision which will hurt South Australia’s economy and risk jobs,” he said.

“After the last election, Labor Leader Peter Malinauskas said he would be different and would listen to South Australia’s regional communities.

“He has completely ignored the views of South Australia’s farmers and our research scientists.

“This is just another example of the Labor Party turning its back on those in the regions.”