Will Horse Industry's GE Vaccine Devastate Native Species
(GE Free NZ Press releas)
The ERMA hearing into the first general environmental release of a recombinant (GE) Equine influenza (EI) vaccine
engineered with a Canary Pox virus vector is being held today.
But could Kiwi, Kea, Kereru be made extinct if canary Pox virus mutates? ERMA has been advised by MAF that no research
on the threat to native species has been done.
The New Zealand Racing Board has applied to introduce two genetically engineered vaccines, Proteqflu and Proteqflu Te,
for Equine Influenza (EI). This vaccine is engineered with a vector from the canary pox virus, similar to molluscum
contagiosum and chicken pox. The Proteqflu Te contains two recombinant canary pox EI strains with a tetanus toxoid
added. This approval will extend further than for use in an emergency and is for an indefinite period. New Zealand is
only one of two countries in the world where there has not been an Equine influenza outbreak.
"This application is full of fish hooks and hidden caveats that could in the next two years see the GE vaccines used
fairly frequently," says Claire Bleakley of GE Free NZ in Food and environment."But at what cost to New Zealand's
trading reputation, environment and native fauna?"
"One of the most concerning recommendations is that if this application is approved all similar types of vaccine aimed
at future variants of the disease are also considered automatically approved. This opens the way for a deluge of
untested GE vaccines to be used without proper public notification and independent scientific scrutiny."
New Zealand's international reputation and environment are also at risk. Our main indigenous fauna are birds and
reptiles, yet there have been no studies on the possibility of a spill or virus mutation escaping into our environment
and waterways.
"If a wild water bird is affected by vaccine shed in the water, the devastating effects could not be contained and we
would have a massive biosecurity problem on our hands. This would put at risk our farmed birds as well as our already
endangered native birds. With the threats from 1080 and now canary pox what hope do they have?"
"Our biosecurity and quarantine protections have until now been first grade and we are a disease free country," says
Claire Bleakley. "It is greedy and stupid to introduce a live GE vaccine when we already have four less risky and
effective vaccines to treat EI."
"These have fewer adverse effects and are already available for use in an emergency, to treat a disease that we don't
have, and have successfully avoided by sound biosecurity measures."
Hygiene and proper feeding has been shown to protect horses from spreading the disease which last for 1-3 days with
sneezing and runny nose. In certain conditions especially with enclosed animals, it spreads very fast and ends in
pneumonia.
"Soap and hot water is an effective killer of the virus!" Ms Bleakley says. "Our clean, green, open environment helps us
maintain healthy stables. We must preserve this benefit for New Zealand and ERMA must decline such a potentially
dangerous threat to our economic and environmental future."
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