Farmers 'broadly supportive' of plans to end NSW's genetically modified crop ban TueTuesday 2 updated TueTuesday 2 Grain producers welcome the decision to lift the GM-ban across New South Wales. ( Share Print text only Cancel The New South Wales Government is set to lift the ban on genetically modified (GM) crops, after an 18-year moratorium on the practice. Key points: Canola, cotton and safflower are the only GM crops currently grown in Australia Environmental groups have concerns about the widespread use of chemicals on GM crops The state's Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall today announced the ban would be lifted from July 1. Mr Marshall said it opened the door for the state's primary industries sector to embrace new GM technologies in the field, "potentially reaping billions of dollars in benefits".