DairyNZ has submitted to the Health Select Committee on the Government’s Gene Technology Bill. “DairyNZ supports the intent of the Gene Technology Bill to enable the safe testing and use of gene technologies in Aotearoa New Zealand,” says Dr Bruce Thorrold, DairyNZ Chief Science Advisor.
“The Bill provides a good foundation for creating a more balanced regulatory environment for gene technologies. However, we’ve identified five critical issues for the primary sector that need to be addressed to ensure farmers retain agency and choice,” says Dr Thorrold.
In its submission, DairyNZ recommended the following amendments to the Bill:
Trade and market access: The Bill’s purpose should be expanded to explicitly address trade and market access risks to safeguard the competitiveness of New Zealand’s primary sector. Greater certainty is also needed over the process by which non-notifiable, unregulated and/or exempt activities are determined and registered.
Co-existence: The Bill’s definition of ‘environment’ should be clarified to confirm that it covers primary production systems, ensuring the Regulator can effectively address primary sector issues, in particular co-existence. 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.
Primary sector input: The Regulator requires greater primary sector input and advice than is currently provided for in the Bill. A dedicated primary sector sub-committee to the Technical Advisory Committee is urgently required, as well as an expansion of the skill set of the Technical Advisory Committee.
Māori rights and interests: 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.
Transparency and trust: A 2–5-year transitional period with greater transparency in decision-making by the Regulator or the Minister on matters relating to the primary sector is required. As an example, this would ensure that no technologies or organisms are deemed ‘exempt’ during that period. This approach would enable trust and confidence to be built in the new regulatory system.
The submission can be viewed here: Genetic technologies
Media contact
Jacob Quinn
Principal corporate communications advisor
p: 027 716 4197
e: jacob.quinn@dairynz.co.nz