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These standards will be amended to include a mandatory GM testing requirement under the Medicago sativa (lucerne, alfalfa) schedules, for seed imported into New Zealand for sowing and sprouting. Seed imported for animal and bird feed will not require testing, as it is devitalised. The testing protocol will be enforced at the border from 30 November 2006.

This amendment follows a period of public consultation in June-July this year. The consultation submissions have been reviewed and are available on the Biosecurity New Zealand website, along with a copy of the GM Testing Protocol.

Lucerne/Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

New Zealand imports lucerne/alfalfa for sowing and sprouting each year from the United States and other countries, and MAF has learned that two varieties of genetically modified (GM) lucerne/alfalfa recently entered commercial production in the United States.

There is a risk that future consignments of lucerne/alfalfa for sowing and sprouting produced in the United States may inadvertently contain very low levels of GM seeds.

MAF has recently concluded public consultation about the development and implementation of a seed testing protocol to detect GM lucerne/alfalfa, and the submissions received have been reviewed and are available below.

Review of Submissions received for Consultation on a Draft Testing Protocol for Medicago sativa (Lucerne/Alfalfa)

Protocol for Testing Imported Medicago sativa (lucerne, alfalfa) Seed for the Presence of Unapproved Genetically Modified Seed

Frequently Asked Questions

Related release: Biosecurity New Zealand to consult on seed testing protocol (June 06)