GM trial risky, costly and pointless

"ERMA's finding that risks to the environment are negligible flies in the face of all the.scientific uncertainties," said Greenpeace Campaign Manager Carmen Gravatt. "The trial is a pointless waste of money and it poses a needless risk to the environment.

"The authority has failed to apply a precautionary approach and in doing so, has put both our environment and agriculture industry at stake. Its decision is completely out of step with international best practice.

"ERMA says it supports the trial because it might help us gain a better understanding of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). But given the huge risks involved in this sort of work, New Zealand should never become an exporter of GMOs and therefore field tests are actually a complete waste of time and money.

"The money would be far better used on research on conventional agriculture that people actually want and that can benefit New Zealand domestically and internationally."

ERMA is yet to decline a GM field trial application.

Other contacts: Carmen Gravatt (Campaigns Manager)– 021302251 Kathy Cumming (Communications) 021 495 216

Notes: ERMA’s decision can be found at http://www.ermanz.govt.nz/news-events/focus/brassicas06/index.html The decision concluded that: 2.12.4 The following overall evaluation of risks and costs (incorporating adverse effects) and benefits (incorporating beneficial or positive effects) was carried out having regard to clauses 22 and 34 of the Methodology, and in accordance with the tests in clause 26 of the Methodology and section 45 of the Act. Clause 26 of the Methodology is the appropriate reference for making the decision since all identified potentially significant risks have been assessed as being negligible. 2.12.5 Risks and costs considered but found to be negligible were those associated with effects on the environment, effects on human health and safety, the relationships of Māori to the environment and Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi, society and community, and market economy. In making these assessments the Committee considered both the impact of containment and other controls and the effects of the GM brassicas if they were to escape from containment. In aggregate, all risks were considered to be negligible. 2.12.6 The Committee concluded that the primary benefits accruing from the field test are the enhancement of knowledge and understanding of agronomic practices associated with these brassicas genetically modified for /Bt/ expression, and upskilling of staff and increased experience in working with gene technology in the field. The Committee assessed these benefits as non-negligible. 2.12.7 The Committee noted all external costs are negligible and that after considering the impact of the combined controls the organisms can be adequately contained. Consequently, the Committee determined that the benefits outweigh the costs of the application.

Exp. contact date: 2007-06-30 00:00:00