Agriculture Representatives To Appear

Agriculture Representatives To Appear Before Commission

Wellington - 20 November 2000: Representatives of New Zealand's agriculture industry will be making submissions to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification when formal hearings resume in Wellington today.

The New Zealand Dairy Board, Federated Farmers and New Zealand Veterinary Association are among those "interested persons" who will presenting their submissions to the Commission. Members of the public are welcome to attend these proceedings.

Copies of their submissions and witness' briefs of evidence are now available on the Commission's website: www.gmcommission.govt.nz. Transcripts of the proceedings will be posted on the website. This week the Commission is also conducting workshops in the central North Island as part of its Maori Consultation Programme. These workshops will be held from 10am until 1pm at Tauranga's Armitage Hotel today, Rotorua's Te Ao Marama (Ohinemutu) on Tuesday, Whakatane's Takatutahi Church Centre on Wednesday and Taupo Convention Centre on Thursday. All are welcome to attend.

This segment of the consultation process will conclude with a regional hui at Ohinemutu, Rotorua, on 2 December 2000. Further details regarding the Commission's consultation process are available by contacting the Commission office on 04 495 9151 or viewing the Commission's website.

Closing date for written submissions is 5pm, December 2000. These can be handwritten or typed and addressed to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification at: Post: PO Box 3554, Wellington Fax: 04 495 9153 Email: submissions@gmcommission.govt.nz

ENDS

The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification was established by Order in Council on 8 May 2000 and is chaired by Sir Thomas Eichelbaum. The other members of the Commission are Dr Jacqueline Allan, Dr Jean Fleming and the Rt Rev Richard Randerson. The Commission is required to report by 1 June 2001.

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