Wednesday, 21 August 2024 11:55

Editorial: Starting the GM conversation

Written by  Staff Reporters
The Government’s roadmap includes legislation ending New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab. The Government’s roadmap includes legislation ending New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab.

OPINION: Last year, Federated Farmers wrote to all political parties seeking support for reforming genetically modified technology rules.

Last week, it was evident that many stakeholders are warming to the idea of revisiting the regulations governing genetic technologies in New Zealand, as the science has advanced rapidly in recent years.

The Government’s roadmap includes legislation ending New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and setting up a dedicated regulator to oversee applications to use gene technology. Both should be in place by the end of next year. Opposition parties, the Greens and Labour, aren’t ruling out supporting the legislation.

The Government’s roadmap includes legislation ending New Zealand’s nearly 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and setting up a dedicated regulator to oversee applications to use gene technology. Both should be in place by the end of next year. Opposition parties, the Greens and Labour, aren’t ruling out supporting the legislation.

Farmers are always looking for new technologies to help them improve their production, increase their profit, or reduce their environmental footprint. Also to help them reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve drought resilience, or increase farm production.

They are real possibilities, however, there will always be risks and trade-offs that need to be carefully considered too, like how international consumers would feel about such a change.

Therefore, the Feds rightly point out that any legislation needs to be fit for purpose and adequately address any possible risks.

The potential opportunities here are too great to just leave them sitting on the table without even looking at them. The Government has launched the conversation and that’s a great start.

More like this

Working with farmers to ensure best outcomes

OPINION: Recent media commentary from Southland Federated Farmers has raised concerns among our rural communities, particularly around Environment Southland’s approach to winter grazing inspections and nitrogen reporting. But let’s be clear, much of what’s been said simply doesn’t reflect reality.

Editorial: Nitrate emergency?

OPINION: Environment Canterbury's (ECan) decision recently to declare a so-called “nitrate emergency” is laughable.

Federated Farmers slam Canterbury nitrate emergency

A shameless political stunt is how Federated Farmers is describing the Canterbury Regional Council decision to declare “a nitrate emergency” on the back of its latest annual groundwater quality survey.

Featured

Winston Peters questions Fonterra divestment plan

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.

National

Machinery & Products

New McHale terra drive axle option

Well-known for its Fusion baler wrapper combination, Irish manufacturer McHale has launched an interesting option at the recent Irish Ploughing…

Amazone unveils flagship spreader

With the price of fertiliser still significantly higher than 2024, there is an increased onus on ensuring its spread accurately at…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Tough times

OPINION: Dairy industry players are also falling by the wayside as the economic downturn bites around the country.

MSA triumph

OPINION: Methane Science Accord, a farmer-led organisation advocating for zero tax on ruminant methane, will be quietly celebrating its first…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter