Better Alternatives Leave No Room For GE In Agriculture

The media hype surrounding hopes to one day use GE clover to reduce methane emissions ignores existing solutions and will not change the importance of keeping New Zealand agriculture GM-free.

There is already much research on legume forages and their reduction of methane in both dairy and sheep management, which can benefit farmers right now. Dairy cows produce up to 90kgs methane per annum (1). So any pasture that include legumes and mixed leys can reduce methane emissions and increase milk yields significantly (2).

Another 15 years of GE development is good news for scientists working for funding but no magic bullet can overcome the need for a whole-of-systems approach to improving resilience in the primary sector by protecting our clean, green, natural brand image.

“Planting a range of mixed forage pastures can be done today, said Claire Bleakley, president of GE Free NZ in food and environment. “All farmers will be able to have guaranteed entry into export markets as their products will be GE Free, have no technology costs, and be free of GE contamination.”

Outcomes from traditional pasture research over the last 30 years have been undervalued and ignored, but we have a vast range of mixed leys and forage pastures that are safe and GE-Free. Many of the diverse alternative legume forages like, Sulla, lotus, red and white clover, chicory, willow and poplar and other grasses have been overlooked while farmers are told that the proposed monoculture GE pasture management is the way to go. Research on these forages has shown not only a large reduction in methane production but also an improvement in resistance to intestinal parasites in cows and sheep.

New Zealand primary production must remain GE-free. International rejection of GE food by many consumers is unlikely to change given the dangers of the experimental GE processes used in the laboratory, and inadequate understanding of complex genetic and environmental effects.

“Deformities in animals used in GE experiments have already cast a shadow over AgResearch's work, and it is time to halt misdirected investment in GE that comes at the expense of alternative research and development,” said Jon Carapiet, spokesperson for GE Free NZ in food and environment. "Another 15 years of GE animals and GE clover-development is a mistake. The research should be redesigned to focus on maintaining our GE-free status as a food producer.”

The real problem is not the cows which have to belch methane as part of their digestion and milk production, but excessive herd numbers and failing to plant superior diverse alternative forage systems.

Money invested in helping farmers to implement these pasture systems right now will benefit New Zealand far more than hyped promises for a GE magic bullet.

ENDS

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