3 July 2002
The minister responsible for establishing the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification says the call by a new pressure
group to extend the GE moratorium fails to recognise the safeguards in place and the cautious approach being taken by
the government.
"I can understand the concerns of the newly established Sustainability Council of New Zealand," Environment Minister
Marian Hobbs said. "But the Royal Commission conducted the most extensive investigation into genetic modification of any
country, including the issues raised by the council.
"We acted on its recommendation to proceed with caution. We introduced a two year moratorium to allow research into
social, economic and environmental issues surrounding GM, so we could set up the Bioethics Council and fully investigate
other Royal Commission recommendations on issues like liability for accidents and changes to legislation.
"The expiry of the moratorium in October 2003 will not open the flood gates to commercial production of GE crops.
"It will simply allow applications for the release of genetically modified material to be considered case by case by the
Environmental Risk Management Authority, the expert group established to protect the New Zealand environment from
potential hazards.
"The authority is there to protect the health and safety of New Zealanders and
before approving any application ERMA must decide that the benefits outweigh the risks. If there were not enough
information to make a decision, the application would have to be declined.
" Food would also require approval by the Australia New Zealand Food Authority and this would not be granted until the
food has been tested and found safe."
Ends