Pro and ‘no go’ GMO claims flow
Both sides of the GMO debate got a chance to have their say on what could happen in the Waikato. Mike Mather reports.
The prospect of geneticallymodified plants and animals being grown and reared in the Waikato is striking fear into the region’s organic farmers.
The case from both sides of the genetically-modified organisms (GMO) debate – whether artificially altered organisms pose a dire threat or will be a boon for the economy and scientific development – was put to a group of decision-makers at a hearing in Ngaruawahia on Thursday.
The hearing, which will determine what GMO controls the Waikato District Council will include in its district plan, was attended by several people who had made submissions both for and against the proposed plan change.
It was a distillation of the decades-long debate on whether genetic modification should be embraced or feared by New Zealanders.
Regardless of council’s decision the Environmental Protection Authority holds final say on any GMO trials or release.
In turn, each of the submitters did their best to sway the quartet of commissioners to either fill the plan with more restrictive controls, or allow fewer limitations on scientific research in that field.
Among those pleading for the former was Te Aroha organic farmer Gavin Fisher, whose endeavours in that industry have been broadcast on the television show Country Calendar.
Fisher said he was fearful that if genetically modified pasture was allowed to be introduced as a test crop in the Waikato, there were no guarantees that pollen or other material from plants located on that site could be transferred to the surrounding environment.
‘‘I’m looking up in the sky and I can see smoke from Australia,’’ he told the hearing.
‘‘I can’t believe for one minute that pollen won’t blow over my fence.’’
There had been cases of such material being accidentally spread around the world, he said.
About a decade ago creeping bentgrass, a genetically-engineered turfgrass designed for golf courses had gone astray from seed fields in Idaho and had now become entrenched on land in neighbouring states, he contended.
‘‘If any of our cows ingest any genetically-engineered material . . . they lose their [organic] certification for life,’’ he told the hearing.
‘‘Once it’s out there, it’s out there for good.’’
The council had received about 30 GMO-related submissions to the district plan, which sets rules for how the district’s land can be used, developed and subdivided. Another of these was from Claire Bleakley, representing the lobby group GE
Free New Zealand.
‘‘If there is any contamination future generations are going to be affected,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s not quite as simple as just cleaning it up.’’
Zahra Champion, the executive director of science advocacy organisation BiotechNZ, urged the commissioners not to introduce regulations that would restrict research being conducted in the region.
‘‘We oppose the introduction of GMO controls into the Waikato District Plan.
It would stifle the one thing New Zealand is really striving for, which is growth and prosperity.’’
Another pro-science advocacy group was the Life Sciences Network and its chairman William Rolleston said there were numerous controls on genetic research in New Zealand and any new advancements needed the approval of the Environmental Protection Authority.
Genetic modification had made a huge impact on the world’s ability to produce food while reducing agriculture’s impact on the climate and combating pests and disease, he said.
Opponents to such advancements frequently argued that the science was in its infancy and there was a danger of scientists tinkering recklessly in genetics.
The reality was there were numerous regulations and restrictions already in place.
Federated Farmers’ Waikato provincial president Andrew McGiven said the co-operative was taking a neutral stance on the issue, and urged the commissioners to find a balance between unrestricted use and a complete moratorium on genetic modification.
‘‘We support responsible, flexible farming systems . . . and ensuring New Zealand farmers can hold their own against international competition.’’
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