GMO risk is unfair

By DENISE PIPER - Whangarei Leader | Tuesday, 16 September 2008

STUFF - New Zealand

Northland ratepayers could shoulder the risk if a field trial of genetically modified organisms goes wrong in the region.

The risks and management options of GMO trials is being considered by a Northland and Auckland working party, which includes both the Whangarei District and Northland Regional Councils.

It found local councils would have to pay for any environmental damage if a GMO release, approved by the Environmental Risk Management Agency, was to go wrong.

Northern Regional Council policy and planning manager Glen Mortimer says while there are no field trials in Northland at the moment, there is a possibility of some in the future.

Proposals which could affect Northland include genetically modified livestock, vegetables, ryegrass, pine trees and horse flu vaccine.

The working party is now considering banning GMO field trials in Northland and Auckland until outstanding issues like liability, costs, environmental risk and community concerns are resolved.

The Whangarei District Council has decided to get involved with a community consultation programme to gauge the level of support for local regulation of GMO land use.

It has committed $10,000 toward a telephone survey and submission consultation.

Councillor Sheryl Mai, the working party chairwoman, says the group is moving forward by asking communities what is acceptable risk.

"We will be going to these communities to ask what risk is acceptable to us. What level of risk are you prepared to live with?"

Conversely, the Northland Regional Council has decided not to participate in the consultation, with councillor Ian Walker saying policies should be based on scientific evidence, not public opinion.

He asked for scientific information on the level of risk.

But both councils will continue, with the working party, to lobby central government to fix the loopholes in the regulation over liability.

Whangarei mayor Stan Semenoff says he is disappointed central government did not put a stop to GMO release until the issues were sorted.

"I'm sure going to kick the governments of the day for not having the backbone to stop it when it should’ve been stopped, or at least have a safety valve."

The working party has asked each political party questions about changing the rules to address liability, to allow comparison between parties before the election.

Mr Semenoff says if there is a change in government, he will be "sitting on their doorstep" wanting action.

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