The Mayor of Onkparinga is frustrated and disappointed that the Minister for Primary Industries has decided McLaren Vale will not be a designated non-genetically modified crop area.

Minister David Basham announced this week that Kangaroo Island will be the only region in SA to have non-GM status. Onkaparinga, Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Councils had all applied to be non-GM recognised areas.

Minister Basham told ABC Radio Adelaide that none of the councils were able to put a case forward to show that there was a trademarking advantage in being a GM free area.

He also pointed out that his decision didn’t mean that farmers and winegrowers in the area couldn’t continue to be GM free

Mayor of Onkaparinga, Erin Thompson says the decision risks the reputation and viability of the McLaren Vale wine region.

“We’re feeling baffled,” she says. “There was no explanation as to why our submission was not accepted.

“We presented hard evidence, despite what the Minister has said, from leading wineries such as D’Arenberg.

“What our local wine industry wants to know is; what will the Minister do if his decision leads to cancelled contracts?

“The minister has now put at risk more than $20 million annually in crop value. On the back of COVID-19 and further export challenges currently being faced by our wine industry, this is a huge kick in the guts,” she says.

Thirty seven percent of the McLaren Vale’s vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, compared to four per cent nationally.

Mayor Thompson said the council would now explore all available options to seek a reversal of the decision.