The South Australian Farmers Federation (SAFF) will not be calling for a moratorium on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) despite results from a survey on the issue.

There was 80 per cent support for a moratorium, but SAFF chief executive Carol Vincent says only 25 per cent of members responded. However, she says SAFF will present the findings in its submission to the select committee on GMOs, chaired by the Member for Mount Gambier, who earlier put forward a bill for a moratorium.

The Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Caroline Schaefer, says she is concerned that the Member for Mount Gambier and others have taken the survey results as being indicative of the views of all South Australian farmers. She says most farmers want more information about GMOs and marketing implications, and she cannot see how that could be supplied without proper research, including paddock trials.

Meanwhile, the Australian Local Government Association will call on the federal and state governments to give councils power to declare local government areas free of selected GMO crops.  This follows a resolution put forward by a Queensland council at the national local government assembly. 

Cooloola Shire says the wishes of local communities are largely excluded under federal regulations for GMOs.