He says the flame in the GM crop debate will soften as SA farmers examine the returns of Round Up Ready canola in New South Wales and Victoria.

"We are in the ideal position to assess what goes on and move forward," Mr Pederick said.

"SA is in a prime position to acknowledge how they handle harvest, how buffer zones hold up and the community responds to GM foods.

"We will have the best knowledge and the best outcomes if we wait and see."

The Rann government extended the moratorium on GM crops in February, in a move it said would maintain the State's marketing image.

This was despite the GM Crops Advisory Committee's recommendation the moratorium be lifted.

"Right up until the announcement in February, we thought the government was in favour of GM," Mr Pederick said.

"Something happened up the chain and there was a shift in opinion."

Agriculture Minister Rory McEwen said there was still no reason to lift the ban.

"There is very little to gain and too much to risk," he said.

"There was not and there is still not any compelling reason for us to lift it."

Mr McEwen said the ban would stay in place to protect SA's clean green image and the marketability of the wine industry.

"Our most important industry is wine in this State and winegrowers do not want the GM label," he said.

"Wine is our biggest market, with 70 per cent of Australia's wine exports grown in SA."

Boutique markets have also been protected.