Formal Hearings To Conclude Next Week

Wellington - 23 February 2001: The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification will be holding its final week of Formal Hearings of "interested persons" next week.

Presentations will be heard at Level 11, Dalmuir House, Wellington, from:

26 February 2001 1. New Zealand Maori Council 2. Nga Wahine Tiaki o Te Ao 27 February 2001 1. Muaupoko Cooperative Society 2. National Maori Congress 3. Federation of Maori Authorities 28 February 2001 1. Wai 262 Claimants 2. Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment 1 March 2001 1. Ministry for the Environment 2. Environmental Risk Management Authority

Copies of the submissions and expert witnesses' briefs of evidence can be found at www.gmcommission.govt.nz. Members of the public are welcome to view the proceedings and transcripts of the hearing will be posted on the Commission's website.

Closing submissions from will take place in Wellington on 12, 13, 14 and 15 March 2001. Details will be available shortly from the Commission office and website.

Applications for "interested persons" to present new or rebuttal evidence to the Commission close at 5pm on Friday, 2 March 2001. It is anticipated these will all be heard on 9 March 2001, in Wellington.

ENDS

Please note: Details regarding the closing submissions and new and rebuttal evidence are included in the Commission's Second Supplementary Notification to "Interested Persons" (18 December 2001). This is available at: . For further information, please contact: Sarah Adamson, Media Relations Officer, phone: 04 495 9151 or 021 499 510.

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