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. On July 1, 2021, New South Wales lifted its ban on GE food crops after an 18-year moratorium. This means that federally approved GE crops can now be grown in every Australian state except Tasmania.