Need to manage gene tech risks

This is one of the key recommendations in the industry good organisation's submission to Parliament's health committee which is in the process of examining the Gene Technology Bill.

The Bill seeks to end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is a major milestone in modernising our laws to unlock the potential of science. It is claimed that gene technology will deliver enormous benefits including access to better cancer treatments, and increased productivity for farmers through such things as disease-resistant and drought-resistant grasses and tools to help meet emissions targets.

DairyNZ, like most other primary sector groups that have made submissions on the Bill, says it supports the overall intent to establish a new regulatory framework for gene technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It says the dairy sector stands to gain from streamlined access to gene technology via beneficial plant and animal traits, including pest/disease resistance. It also cites improved nutritional value, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved resilience to climate change, productivity gains, and improved animal welfare.

But according to DairyNZ's chief science advisor Dr Bruce Thorrold, who wrote the submission, any potential benefits must be carefully weighed against the risks, including trade and market access challenges, co-existence issues, impacts on cultural values, and unintended consequences such as increased weediness or negative impacts on animal health. He says the health select committee should know the primary sector was given very limited opportunity to contribute to the government reform process.

"DairyNZ has been working to raise awareness of gene technology and the reform process with farmers and other stakeholders over the past eight months. However, this has been very challenging due to the lack of detailed information from the Government on the proposed new regulatory framework," he says.

Thorrold says the limited farmer engagement has shown that a diversity of views exists within the dairy sector, from strong support through to strong opposition. He says some farmers see significant potential in gene technology, while others have concerns about market acceptance, trade implications, ethical considerations, and potential risks to the environment or livestock. This view is echoed by other primary sector organisations including Beef + Lamb NZ.

More Sector Input

DairyNZ says there is a need for greater primary sector input and advice than is currently provided for in the Bill and wants a dedicated primary sector sub-committee to the proposed technical advisory committee, as well as an expansion of the skill set of the committee.

Thorrold says the other concern of DairyNZ relates to the Bill's definition of 'environment' and says this should be clarified to confirm that it covers primary production systems, to ensure that primary sector issues are addressed.

"There is a well-established system, and practices used for production of high-grade seed crops, which provide a working example of co-existence in practice.

"This could serve as a useful starting point for the primary sector to lead the development of appropriate regulatory settings for co-existence," he says.

DairyNZ says officials should be tasked with considering a broader range of options for protecting Māori rights and interests, including expanding the proposed functions of the Māori advisory committee.

Finally it wants a two-to-five transitional period with greater transparency in decision-making by the regulator or the Minister on matters relating to the primary sector. It says for example this would ensure that no technologies or organisms are deemed 'exempt' during that period.

Thorrold says this approach would enable trust and confidence to be built in the new regulatory system. He says DairyNZ looks forward to working with government to refine and implement the legislation.