Wellington, New Zealand
October 16, 2008
Source:
New Zealand government
New regulations for the
conditional release of genetically-modified organisms (GMOs)
will provide greater assurance for industry and the public in
regard to traceability and segregation, Environment Minister
Trevor Mallard announced today.
"The regulations, gazetted today and effective from 7 November
2008 (28 days after gazettal), tighten up the regime around the
ability to segregate and trace conditionally released GMOs,"
Trevor Mallard said.
"The changes are the result of the cooperation agreement with
the Green Party. They mean that when the Environmental Risk
Management Authority (ERMA) receives an application to
conditionally release a GMO, the applicant will have to show how
they plan to keep the GMOs separate from other organisms and how
they propose to trace the GMO, if that is appropriate.
"The purpose of the changes is to provide a greater level of
transparency, accountability and public openness in the
management of GM crops should they be approved for use in New
Zealand. The new regulation also provides greater certainty to
applicants on the information that they would need to provide to
ERMA before a conditional release application would be
considered.
"The decision on any conditions that must apply to any approval
is still for ERMA to make. But the regulation changes makes it
now clear that ERMA will consider segregation and traceability
issues for all GMO conditional release applications.
"There is now greater transparency around the possible
imposition of such conditions.
The new regulations clarify the rules and will help ERMA in its
work of realising the recommendations of the Royal Commission on
Genetic Modification - proceeding cautiously in enabling New
Zealand to pursue the benefits of genetic modification
technology," Trevor Mallard said.
Other background
Conditional release means that the release of an organism
outside strict containment is approved with controls. Compliance
with these is monitored by the Ministry for Agriculture and
Forestry. ERMA has not yet approved any conditional release of a
GMO.
To date some strictly controlled GM field tests have been
approved eg brassicas, onions). ERMA is currently considering
the first ever application for a GM conditional release - for a
GM vaccine to combat horse flu. This was going to a public
hearing on 7 October. The horse flu vaccine will also need
approval from the NZ Food Safety Authority's Agricultural
Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Group. |
|
