It was the first time Mr Caica was a guest speaker at the event, which was well attended with more than 80 guests.

"While there is a diverse set of of views out there, I don't believe we should take the risk of moving to GM until we know it is worth it," he said.

"It's not worth taking the risk, as once GM is established, it's difficult to change our minds and go back to non-GM or GM-free."

Mr Caica thought SA should be capitalising on the moratorium, promoting the State as GM-free along with fruit fly-free and phylloxera-free.

The topic was just one of many Mr Caica covered in his presentation.

He also made mention of the recently-announced State Government $20 million Riverland Sustainable Futures Fund and launched a new five-year plan called the South Australian Food Strategy 2010-2015.

The strategy is designed to boost the industry’s international competitiveness and growth and Mr Caica said it embraced the entire food industry – from producers and processors right through to retailers - with consumer demands being the main focus.

“The industry faces increasingly competitive markets and sophisticated customers seeking many things from the food they choose – things like quality, nutrition, enjoyment, security, safety and environmental sustainability," he said.

“One of the key messages for our food industry delivered in recent months by Adelaide Thinker in Residence, Professor Andrew Fearne, was that to rise to this challenge they must keep up to speed with what consumers are wanting – locally, nationally and globally; they must collaborate to achieve this; and deliver produce and products that meet those consumer demands.”

The Strategy sets new targets for the SA food industry to generate $16 billion revenue by 2015; increase its contribution to the wellbeing of South Australians; and reduce its impact on the environment.

* More on Mr Caica's views for agriculture in SA in Stock Journal, February 25 issue.