Northern Advocate
5 Sep, 2016 10:59 AM
A landmark High Court decision backing Northland councils' right to make regulations about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is already under attack from the Environment Minister, who says the ruling could hamper medical research.
Last Thursday, Justice Mary Peters ruled in the High Court in favour of the Whangarei District and Northland Regional councils, Soil and Health, GE Free Northland and other groups' argument that local governments have that right under the Resource Management Act (RMA). Justice Peters dismissed Federated Farmers' appeal against a prior Environmental Court judgment to the same effect.
Federated Farmers' argument was that local government had no role legislating on GMOs as they came under the over-arching Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) laws.
Local authorities proposing or already with a prohibition on GMOs in their plans are the Northland Regional, Far North, Whangarei, Hastings and Auckland District councils.
In her decision, Justice Peters said the Environment Court was not persuaded an overlap between the RMA and HSNO meant GMOs should be excluded from regional policy statements or plans.
6:58 pm on 2 September 2016
Benedict Collins, Political Reporter @rnzbenedict
Environment Minister Nick Smith has been accused of blatant scaremongering as he moves to stop local councils from controlling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their districts.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/312414/environment-minister-accused-of-gmo-beat-up
Dr Smith said the government was acting because it was worried local councils would stop important medical trials that use GMO technology from going ahead, and the government was looking to change the law.
The High Court this week upheld the Environment Court's decision that local councils could have control over the use and release of the technology in their districts.
Farming lobby group Federated Farmers has been challenging the right of local councils to regulate GMOs in the courts.