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TASMANIA'S canola industry is losing $9 million a year through a moratorium on genetically modified crops.
That's according to figures detailed in a 2012 Macquarie Franklin review.
The figures mean the state has forfeited a farm gate income of $108 million over 12 years through the halt of emerging canola seed multiplication operations.
The figure was offset by an annual $1.9 million income, $22.8 million over 12 years, through premiums on GM-free branded canola.
Despite axing GMO trials more than a decade ago, the report suggests the state is spending $250,000 a year to regulate Tasmania's GM-free status.
The report was commissioned by the former Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts.
The wider impact of introducing genetically modified organisms to Tasmania could potentially affect the state's organic branding and threaten its GM-free status.
The topic has divided the farming community.
Despite the report's claims that market advantage from a specific GMO-free push from the state would be minimal, Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the jury was still out on any accurate market figure.
Mr Rockliff said the state government's delivery of a five-year moratorium on GMOs would allow the development of a GMO free brand, as well as an option to investigate benefits if technology allowed.
"Clearly, the potential use of GMOs requires careful consideration to ensure there would be no negative impacts on markets for our existing produce," he said.
"At this point, [the] Department of Primary Industry Parks Water and Environment believes it is not possible to accurately value the market or marketing advantages or disadvantages of a GMO moratorium and this uncertainty is reasonable cause for caution."
In a submission to the government's recent review of a state moratorium, Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association said any moratorium must be met with state investment.
The submission recommended any moratorium should be paired with a constant review of technologies, availability and market trends to allow for an earlier review if necessary.
Tasmania's GMO moratorium is set to expire late 2019.