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ACT primary industries spokesman Mark Cameron.
New research shows that New Zealanders are becoming more open to the use of genetic engineering advances to progress our agriculture sector.
Christchurch-based survey and product development company Research First recently published the results of a survey on the use of GE in NZ. It found the use of gene editing in humans for medical and disease prevention purposes was viewed in an overwhelmingly positive manner. Meanwhile, although it still had majority support, the research found less backing for gene editing to improve biodiversity and farm health.
ACT spokesman Mark Cameron says New Zealand needs to liberalise its laws on genetic engineering to allow our agricultural industry to “lead, not lag”.
“ACT has always said if we want to get serious about reducing agriculture emissions we should be looking at technological advancements like this before taxing and destocking.”
He points to AgResearch’s high metabolisable energy (HME) ryegrass currently in US trials. This has the potential to reduce livestock methane emissions by 23% and cut nitrogen excreted into the environment by livestock feeding on this ryegrass. The only problem is that under current legislation it is illegal to grow this grass in New Zealand.
Former chief science advisor Sir Peter Gluckman highlighted this technology and suggested legislative change in his 2019 report calling it an “effective way of sustaining productivity while lowering dairy cow numbers and the environmental burden of methane emissions”.
However, there are a number of hurdles to overcome before such measures can be taken in NZ.
Under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO), genetically modified plants/animals are considered completely new substances and must be individually reviewed and passed.
Before GM legislation can be altered changes will require input from iwi groups, who are generally hawkish about GM, with concerns about long-term effects, mauri (life force) and whakapapa being the main points of contention.
Cameron points to Australia’s relaxation of gene editing laws in plants to no longer require government approval. He claims NZ risks being left behind if we don’t do the same.
South Waikato farmer Helen Mandeno recently delivered a speech at Beef + Lamb NZ's annual meeting in Nelson. She spoke in support of her remit on B+LNZ seeking majority consensus from levy payers before advancing policies that may threaten NZ's pure, grass-fed and non-GE status. Here's part of what she said:
OPINION: The Government's proposed review of genetic engineering needs to be widened to address its potential benefits to the agriculture industry and climate.
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