Wellington, New Zealand
June 5, 2008
The Environmental Risk
Management Authority (ERMA) expects to hold a public hearing
in Christchurch in August or September to hear oral submissions
on the New Zealand Institute for Crop and Food Research’s
application to field test a range of genetically-modified
vegetable species.
Crop and Food Research has applied to plant genetically-modified
(GM) onions, spring onions, garlic and leeks over a total of 2.5
hectares for a 10-year research project.
ERMA New Zealand’s General Manager, New Organisms, Libby
Harrison, says 123 submissions have been received on the
application. “We have received a wide range of submissions from
community groups, iwi, scientists, and members of the public who
are interested in genetic modification research.”
Dr Harrison says the number of submissions is a lot less than
the 1933 received for Crop and Food’s previous
genetically-modified onions application in 2003. “The number of
submissions is fewer than we have historically received for GM
field test applications. However, it’s not about how many
submissions the Authority gets to consider, but rather the
quality of public input. The submissions we have received
represent a full range of views on GM and will greatly assist
the Authority as it makes it decision.”
Crop and Food Research wants to plant onion seed directly in the
ground and allow some onion plants to flower in the field in
order to produce seed. These plants would be caged to prevent
the spread of pollen.
The next step is for ERMA New Zealand staff to assemble an
evaluation and review (E&R) report on the application. This
report, which will summarise the relevant science and the
submissions, will be sent to submitters and put on the ERMA New
Zealand website before the hearing.
The application details and answers to frequently-asked
questions are available on the ERMA New Zealand website,
www.ermanz.govt.nz |
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