Australasian Biotechnology (backfiles) AusBiotech ISSN: 1036-7128 Vol. 10, Num. 1, 2000, pp. 30

Australasian Biotechnology, Vol. 10 No. 1, 2000, pp. 30

NEW ZEALAND UPDATE - NZ government releases GMO policy

Code Number: au00012

The New Zealand Labour Party has released its policy on GMOs - Genetically Modified Foods and Organisms.

• ensure that food sold in New Zealand is safe;
• establish a practical labelling system for genetically modified foods;
• ensure that New Zealand develops an informed and carefully considered approach to gene technology, by engaging in a national dialogue that considers health, environmental, treaty, ethical, legal, cultural and economic issues;
• ensure that agencies with responsibilities for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) including GM foods, are accountable and involve the public in decision-making processes.

• require that all GM foods for sale in New Zealand must be safety assessed.

Labour will:

• require that any GM food, whether "substantially equivalent" or not, and any food derived from GMOs must be labelled as such. There will be no "maybe" label;
• ensure that labelling is clear by using a prominent symbol to identify a food's GM status;
• ensure that labelling is detailed enough so that people can exercise choice in respect of GM foods;
• establish a New Zealand GM-free labelling programme.

To encourage a well informed debate about genetic modification,

Labour will:

• establish a Royal Commission with wide terms of reference. Its task will be to carry out a full inquiry into genetic modification by encouraging all those with an interest in the debate to contribute;
• impose a ban on any commercial planting of genetically modified crops at least until the Royal Commission has reported;
• also impose an interim ban on the development of genetic modification technology to produce sterile seeds.

The Royal Commission will inquire into the implications of genetic modification for:

• food safety and health;
• environmental safety and biosecurity;
• ethical, moral cultural and legal considerations;
• Treaty of Waitangi implications;
• New Zealand's reputation as a reliable producer of safe food;
• the right of the consumer to make informed choices;
• economic and marketing strategy, including securing a future for the organic industry.

A precautionary approach is required when introducing new organisms. By definition all GMOs are new organisms to the New Zealand environment.

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) was established in 1997. It assesses environmental risks, holds public hearings, and must adopt a precautionary approach in deciding whether to approve, decline or set conditions on applications regarding GMOs. ERMA has yet to consider an application for the release of any GMO.

Labour will:

• ensure that ERMA remains transparent and accountable;
• ensure that ERMA is properly resourced to decide applications, commission research, monitor controls on approved applications and promote public awareness about its role and the issues it deals with;
• enable ERMA to impose any conditions it thinks necessary on the release of new genetically modified organisms;
• give ERMA powers to intervene at any later stage to impose further conditions on a release if necessary;
• monitor ERMA to ensure it is adequately considering a wide range of issues when deciding GMO applications, for example the potential impacts of GMO applications on organic farming, to ensure that they do not undermine organic production;
• require that consumer interests are represented on the ERMA Board.

Genetic modification that impacts on natural resources, or on spiritual values attached to natural resources, may have significant effects for Mäori. Ngä Kaihautu Tikanga Taiao, a statutory Mäori advisory committee, advises ERMA on how best to incorporate Mäori interests in its processes and decisions.

Labour will:

• widen the Mäori advisory committee's role so that it can consult and advise Mäori on the impacts of applications to release or field-test GMOs;
• require all statutory New Zealand agencies with responsibilities for managing genetic modification issues to consult with Mäori on matters of particular significance to them.

Labour supports the proposed establishment of the Food Assurance Authority as a single agency responsible for food advice and implementation.

Labour will:

• establish the Food Assurance Authority as a stand-alone agency.
• give the FAA additional roles in relation to GM foods, including:
  • proposing food safety and health standards;
  • proposing labelling standards, after wide consultation;
  • monitoring and auditing compliance with the standards;
  • commissioning key research into food safety.

ANZFA and the Standards Council, ANZFSC, set Australia and New Zealand standards for foods including GM foods. Labour will:

• require that key research used by ANZFA is independently checked, for example by the Food Assurance Authority;
• use New Zealand's right to opt out of ANZFSC's decisions if we have serious health, safety, and environmental or cultural concerns about that decision.

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