USDA: New Zealand agricultural biotechnology 2014

In New Zealand, GE products are regulated under the 1996 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (Prior to the formation of the EPA, the Environmental Risk Management Authority administered the HSNO Act.) The EPA operates in line with the New Zealand Government’s (NZG’s) cautious approach to biotechnology, only approving applications if the benefits outweigh the risks. In the regulation of products derived from biotechnology, EPA considers the effects on the environment, health, and safety of people, the economy, the social and cultural well-being of people and communities, Maori culture and their relationship with the environment, and international obligations. 

 

A GE equine influenza vaccine is the only GE product approved for a controlled release in New Zealand. Aside from the New Zealand Racing Board and the Equine Health Association, no other organization has submitted an application for a conditional or full-scale release of a GE product. Many in the research field attribute this to the costly, lengthy, and unproven nature of the regulatory approval process. However, there is on-going biotechnology research in New Zealand. To date, 21 contained field trials have been approved for a range of crops and animals.

 

There is a growing recognition among industry organizations, policy makers, farmers and others that there could be economic benefits to creating a more enabling environment for biotechnology. While products such as soy and cotton are not grown in New Zealand, there is an increasing recognition that genetic engineering could be used to develop products with agronomic benefits suitable to New Zealand with positive impacts for food security and environmental problem mitigation. Media articles over the last year are now evenly divided between pro and anti pieces. Some primary sector organizations and farmers remain cautious about the use of biotechnology out of concern that it will tarnish New Zealand’s “clean and green” image and negatively impact on the ability to market products overseas.

 

Any review of the laws concerning biotechnology has not been high on the current Government of New Zealand’s agenda because of the political sensibilities associated with the issue. However, it is reviewing the Resource Management Act (RMA) at present and has said it will act if necessary to amend the RMA to disallow it from being used to set district or regional rules on genetic engineering. In addition a court case decision in May 2014, which went against an earlier EPA determination, said any organisms resulting from two new within species gene manipulation techniques were to be considered new organisms for the purposes of the HSNO Act. This has prompted the Ministry for the  Environment to review the Regulations to ensure they appropriately consider evolving technologies.

 

Genetically engineered food products sold in New Zealand must be approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). To date there are 65 FSANZ approved GE food products that can be sold. All GE foods sold in New Zealand must be labeled. Animal feed falls outside of the HASNO Act and may be imported into New Zealand as the governing legislation does not differentiate between GE and non-GE feed. Meat and other products from animals that have been fed GE feed do not need to be labeled.