At the HortNZ annual conference in Tauranga, a Hawke's Bay grower expressed concerns over the government's swift timeline for revising genetic technology regulations, describing it as "too far, too fast". The grower highlighted potential risks to market access and grower returns. The discussion underscored the importance of maintaining New Zealand's clean green image and the risks associated with altering the current stance on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and genetically engineered (GE) products. The government aims to lift the de facto ban on GM and GE, introducing a dedicated regulator to oversee the safe and ethical use of biotechnology and to expedite trial approvals, with legislation completion targeted for 2025.
Concerns were raised about the impact on New Zealand's GMO-free market position, with significant implications for exports and international consumer perceptions. Ethical issues were also discussed, including potential future restrictions on growers due to patents on gene-edited feed proposals by the European Patent Office. This could limit the available gene pool for growers, raising issues about the ownership of natural biology and the potential for New Zealand to concede sovereignty under international trade agreements.
Māori Kiwifruit Growers emphasized a cautious but open approach to GE discussions, highlighting the importance of protecting original species. The potential requirement for GMO labelling was identified as a barrier for global consumers, stressing the need for New Zealand to maintain its high-trust, high-quality brand. The urgency of updating the 28-year-old regulations to accommodate new technologies was acknowledged, with a focus on defining what constitutes a GMO. New Zealand's position as a later adopter of this technology offers an opportunity to learn from the experiences of others. The legislation is set for select committee review and public consultation next year, with a call for grower submissions to ensure comprehensive stakeholder engagement.
Source: FarmersWeekly