THE Queensland Government has known for at least a year that fire ant baits being spread across southeast Queensland include genetically modified ingredients – but only admitted it last week.

The revelation has rocked Australia’s $3 billion organic sector, threatening certification losses and risking the collapse of export-reliant small businesses.

Documents obtained by The Tribune show former Agriculture Minister Mark Furner conceded in September 2024 that fire ant bait contained GMO soybean oil.

In correspondence also copied to Pine Rivers MP and Shadow Minister for Fire and Disaster Recovery Nikki Boyd, Mr Furner’s office wrote: “The Program is advised by the manufacturer that the treatment products do not contain genetically modified (GMO) corn; however, the soybean oil is a GMO product.”

Despite that admission, the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) has continued to broadcast GMO soybean oil – and has now acknowledged that the corn grit, too, is genetically modified.

The NFAEP last week suspended use of the GMO products on certified organic farms, but for many producers the damage is likely to have already been done.

NFAEP spokeswoman Toni Stiles said organic operators should now seek “guidance from their certifying body to determine any potential impact on their certification … we are sourcing alternative treatment products to ensure we uphold the organic industry’s standards…”

Certification under the National Standard for Organic and BioDynamic Produce strictly prohibits GMOs.

Farmers face losing certification for five years or more if contamination is detected. Export markets in Europe, Japan, and the United States enforce zero tolerance.

Jake Holzheimer, spokesman for the Producers Fire Ant Action Group, accused the government of negligence and warned of “catastrophic impacts” for the industry.

“GMO contamination may have compromised soils, crops, and certifications, leading to potential decertification, halted sales, and financial ruin on top of existing 50-80 percent sales losses from trade bans,” he said.

“Small businesses tied to organic supply chains risk collapse, and the mental health toll on farmers is immense.

“Rebuilding reputations and market trust will take years. All NFAEP leaders should be held accountable.

“Their lack of appropriate leadership – apparently bending rules to cover incompetence – has betrayed producers.”

Chairman of Organics Operators Australia (OOA) Peter Hislop-Speers said the impacts would extend well beyond Queensland.

“This decision by the Department of Primary Industries will not only affect domestic trade of organic, but also Australia’s export of organic products,” he said.

“Mandated treatment on certified organic properties may constitute a trespass, causing financial harm.”

OOA has launched a national register for organic farmers affected by potential GMO contamination and is preparing for possible class action proceedings.

Under the Gene Technology Act 2000, it is an offence to release a genetically modified organism (GMO) into the environment without approval from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR).

There is currently no publicly available record of a licence issued to the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) or related government agencies for releasing GMO soybean oil or corn grit.

If the products have been released without approval, the NFAEP and its coordinating agencies could potentially face prosecution under the Act.

In previous months, regulators have approved sweeping changes to the program.

The withholding period has been shortened for the pesticide s-Methoprene from one year to three weeks, allowed baiting in areas previously prohibited, and it has expanded the “minor use” permit of the pesticides from 10,000 hectares to 850,000 hectares, with bait applied up to six times a year – even on organic farms.

Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett declined to comment.