New Zealand - Gene editing tools great news for plant breeding sector

The National Party announcement* that it would end New Zealand’s effective ban on gene editing (GEd) and genetic modification (GM) will deliver a major boost to plant breeders by improving access to New Breeding Techniques and tools, such as CRISPR (used in targeted gene editing). When the HSNO Act was brought into law New Breeding Techniques were neither developed nor used. There are inconsistent approaches to regulating GM plants across different jurisdictions/ countries – and NZ is becoming an outlier particularly with regard to the use of New Breeding Techniques.

″New Zealand plant breeders are looking forward to more easily accessing new breeding tools something already enjoyed by our major trade competitors such as Australia, China, and the US,″ says John Caradus,  Vice President of the Plant Breeding & Research Association (PBRA).

″The policy will enable plant breeders to investigate the merits of various New Breeding Techniques that can reduce the time and cost involved in developing new cultivars. Both GM and GEd technologies are valuable options that need to be promoted to solve current challenges and as a result improve not simply economic outcomes but also the environment

″It really opens up an opportunity for plant breeders to effectively evaluate the risks and benefits of cultivars with new value-added traits in New Zealand rather than offshore.

The policy has the potential to add further value to local plant breeding, and in turn strengthening New Zealand’s already diverse seed export base, he said.

New Zealand’s plant breeding and seed multiplication business for the seasonal northern hemisphere markets will also benefit from the policy change especially in products that deliver  environmental benefits,  climate change mitigation and sustainability goals.

* June 11, 2023 news release from the National Party

NATIONAL WILL END BAN ON GE AND GM TO BENEFIT NZ

A National government will end New Zealand’s ban on gene editing and genetic modification to unlock enormous benefits for climate change, agriculture and health science, National’s Science, Innovation, and Technology spokesperson Judith Collins says.

″New Zealand can be a world leader in reducing agricultural emissions and benefit from other innovations in health, nutrition and the environment with gene technology rules that are fit-for-purpose,″ says Ms Collins.

″Gene technology is being used around the world to treat cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and blood disorders. It is also being used to combat climate change and protect the natural environment.

″It has been used in New Zealand laboratories since the 1970s, but restrictive rules, drafted in the 1990s, make research outside the lab all but impossible. This means our scientists must head overseas to conduct further research.

″A National government will make New Zealand’s biotechnology rules fit for purpose so we can benefit from the huge advances in gene technology which will help grow the economy, reduce the cost of living, lift incomes, and afford the public services New Zealanders deserve.

″Like Australia, National will introduce a biotechnology regulator to make evidence-based decisions following public feedback. The regulator’s role will be to protect human health and the natural environment and manage ethical concerns while allowing New Zealanders to access the benefits of advanced biotechnology. In New Zealand, human embryonic GE or GM would not be authorised.

National’s Harnessing Biotech Plan will:

• End the effective ban on gene editing (GE) and genetic modification (GM) in New Zealand.

• Create a dedicated regulator to ensure safe and ethical use of biotechnology.

• Streamline approvals for trials and use of non-GE/GM biotech in line with other OECD countries.

″New Zealand has already created genetically modified grasses in labs which would significantly reduce our agricultural emissions, but our restrictive, outdated rules currently mean no GE crops can be grown in New Zealand. GE crops can also be used to resist pests without the use of pesticides, keeping waterways clean.

″GE has the potential to deliver vast benefits for human health. Recently a 13-year-old in London was cured of cancer using GE.

″New Zealand is at risk of being left behind with Australia and most of the European Union having safely embraced gene technology.  A National government will enable New Zealand to responsibly open access to the benefits of gene technology.″

Note: View the policy document here.