ACT's outdated GE policy ignores sound science and the risks

01-February-2024

The National and ACT party plan to weaken much needed regulation on GE is unscientific and outdated, putting farmers and our biosecurity at risk.

A recent panui by ACT MP Parmjeet Parmar focuses on a gene edited ryegrass experiment overseas, but doesn't mention that the outdoor trials in the USA for this controversial grass were a failure. [1]

These politicians have chosen to disregard the success of existing and safe non-GE alternative approaches for New Zealand. [2] [3]

Documents obtained under the OIA detail that in 2018 (before the results of the failed $25 million dollar GE rye-grass experiment was trialed for five years in the US) AgResearch presented the GE rye grass “projected outcomes” to the National party for their GE policy development. [4]

In July 2023, the trials of GE Rye-grass were reported by Newsroom after the results of the US trials were poor, and AgResearch withdrew its application to field trial the failed GE ryegrass in Australia. [5]

“The GE rye grass trials failed to meet the speculative positive outcome,” said GE Free Tai Tokerau chair Zelka Grammer, “yet these political parties continue to ignore the results showing that the GE ryegrass experiment was a failure.
New Zealand must ensure current legislation on GE is science based, not on wishful thinking/ hoped for outcomes.”

Regulation in NZ (the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act) has not blocked any applicant from applying to field test or release GE crops, it only requires proof of safety to the environment and health. The precautionary approach has allowed farmers including our growing organic sector/Hua Parakore to avoid the negative consequences of GE commercialisation that have happened overseas.

New Zealand has benefited from legislation that ensures Genetically Engineered and Gene Edited organisms are primarily kept in strict containment.

“Emerging new gene technologies are fraught with unintended and off-target effects showing deleterious mutations.

To protect farmers, consumers and the environment, New Zealand must preserve it's GM Free environmental status, and all new gene technologies must be fully regulated with no exemptions,” said Grammer.

References -

[1] https://www.act.org.nz/liberal_ge_laws_bring_opportunities_for_nz

[2] https://www.national.org.nz/press/national-will-end-ban-on-ge-and-gm-to-benefit-nz and https://www.national.org.nz/policies/harnessing-biotech

[3] https://germinal.co.nz/non-gmo-ryegrass-developed-nz-farmers/ and https://germinal.co.nz/#clima

[4] C10X1603-CR-3, AgResearch progress report to MBIE, 01/07/2018 – 30/06/2019. (p 46) https://www.gefree.org.nz/assets/Uploads/C10X1603-CR-3.pdf

[5] https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/07/03/grass-isnt-greener-for-gm-trial-in-australia/

ENDS