Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said on Tuesday the government supported the retention of the moratorium for at least five years.

Mr Rockliff said the move would provide certainty for primary producers to further develop markets, protect the state's brand and support future growth in the food and agricultural sector.

TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said the association welcomed the fact it was a moratorium rather than a ban.

"The recognition of the need for continuous reassessment of the situation, rather than shutting the door on the subject for the next five years, is vital if we are to make the most of our competitive advantages," Ms Davis said.

"The inclusion of trigger points to enable regular monitoring and review of developments, both externally and domestically, is therefore important."

Ms Davis said the TFGA had told last year's GMO review that opinion was divided within the farming sector over the use of GM crops and their claimed benefits.

"Research commissioned by the previous government confirmed the fact that remaining GM free comes at a cost to Tasmanian farmers," she said.

"The government must recognise this impact on farmers' overall returns.

"We need to be open to reassessment of the situation as new technologies and products are developed, and as markets change.

"There is no doubt that we are losing productivity and competitiveness because we can't access GMO technologies that arguably could enhance current production outcomes and methodologies."

Ms Davis said without a promotion campaign in the marketplace, to support the moratorium decision, which now goes back 10 years, farmers were getting the worst of both worlds.

Ms Davis said that campaign never happened and farmers would be looking forward to discussing possible ways forward with the government.

It is understood the moratorium will be reviewed before its 2019 expiry.