Replaces the 1996 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. There is a reason why Genetic Engineering has been restricted to Containment Labs- because the potential serious risks if out in the environment. The Govts Health Committee received many thousands of submissions that have voiced serious concerns over the risks if this legislation is passed. Of course the Govt will tell NZrs the Bill of passed will enable the safe use of Gene Technologies (Gene Editing) . There are most certainly serious risks to those farming crops that are GMO Free and Organic farming of Crops with cross pollination from GMO crops to other crops that are not GMO grown
The Health Select Committee Review and Consultation Process reported back to Parliament 10th October 2025 recommending the Bill is passed with some amendments. However there is political uncertainty due to the lack of certainty within the current government. The Govts stated goal is to pass the Gene Tech Bill into legislation by the end of this year. If the Bill passes Royal Assent into Legislation NZs good reputation for GE Free and Organic farming could go down the toilet. This could also bring large Agri-tech and Bio-Tech companies to New Zealand, many of them have headquarters overseas, may well see NZ as a golden opportunity for expansion and more profit (An untapped test bed for Genetic Engineering). Eeem well I wonder what negative impact that would have on our Export Sector in NZ. (And the livelihoods of our Farmers and Growers)
Some people (Farmers in NZ) may remember the US Monsanto now Bayer and the genetically engineered Roundup Ready crops that were sold alongside glyphosate herbicide, with more chemical use and no yield value. NZ Farmers and Growers have been able to help each other out with seeds, however GE Seeds are patented this is how large seed companies make their big profits.. (Seeds and Fertilizers-herbicides) Only a few major corporations in the world have the world in their hands when it comes to selling seeds on the global markets.
There has been notable serious opposition to GM Crops – food security- Safety when it comes to the health of Humans and Animals. NZs opposition to Genetic Engineering goes back to the 1970s when there was serious concerns about safety and contamination. In 1996 the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act was passed, creating the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) to strictly control all Genetic Modification activities
The NZ Royal Commission in year 2000 on Genetic Modification recommended that NZ should Proceed With Caution and Avoid Releasing GE Organisms into the Environment. Then came the very restrictive Containment Labs for GE Research in NZ. In 2014 The High Court ruled that Gene Modification MUST stay Regulated. (As we must make sure it does stay Regulated. Then came the CornGate Scandal (GM Corn Seeds) that were suspected of contaminating crops in Gisborne and Pukekohe (Hence the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification)
But that wasn’t the end of it because there was also ‘Operation Pacific- Maize grown from imported seeds that tested positive for GE contamination. The containment was destroyed at the cost of $500,000. Just imagine how much more it could have potentially cost NZ when it comes to Health & Safety when it comes to our Food System – Health of Kiwi’s and our Domestic and Farm Animals. The Government cannot promise (guarantee Health & Safety of the use of Genetic Modification (Genetic Engineering). Once the damage is done and GM cross pollination (contamination) happens the high risk is that it cannot be undone.
Reference to Prof David Williams, he was working on Gene Therapy at UCLA. He warned the farmers about the Gene Tech Bill saying it was based on false assumptions referring to precision and safety (Well documented ‘Off-Target Effects of CRISPR & other Gene Editing Tools) This included chromosomal deletions & genomic instability). He also warned that loosening NZ laws could wipe out export premiums that farmers receive for GMO Free Livestock and Produce
Williams also warns that loosening New Zealand’s laws could wipe out the export premiums farmers receive for GMO-free livestock and produce. Once released GE Organisms into the environment they cannot be contained (Be recalled). There are no guarantees there will be no mutations in livestock. We are totally reliant on the Soil for Everything, contaminating the soil with these organisms is an extremely serious problem when it comes to Health-Safety- Food- Farmers Livelihoods and our Export Market. Let alone the feeding of our own population in NZ. Contaminations incidents have happened in other countries this has been common and very costly. GE Farming involves significant risks economically, environmentally and lets not forget Health Risks
Some of the risks are increased reliance on specific herbicides can lead to superweeds.. Insect resistant crops. Long term ecological impacts OF GE Organisms are not fully understood, therefore carries risks with unforeseeable consequences for the environment. There have been studies that have raised concerns about the long term effects of consuming GE Foods this includes Liver and Kidney damage, immune system issues and increased risk of tumors
Consumer choice and transparency and the deregulation of GE may well reduce transparency, making it difficult for consumers to identify, choose NON GE or Organic Products. There are concerns as to mutations in animals. Major concerns fall into the following categories- Environmental * ecological * Economic & Trade * Health-Safety-Social Risks. NZ has a good reputation for its Clean Green Image this could be undermined by the widespread adoption of GE Farming, lead to lost Export Markets
How are Non GE and Organic Crop and Non GE Crop Farmers protected if there crops are contaminated by GE Organisms. There have been instances overseas where farmers with contaminated crops were sued by the patent holding corporation for intellectual property infringement. (Even though this was accidental). Oh yes, this is corporate control. GE Seeds often tie farmers into multinational corporations for seeds and chemical supplies causing a dependency on multinational corporations.
There have been safety studies where there has been raised concerns about the potential long term effecrs of consuming GE Foods, including Liver & Kidney damade, immune system issues, increased risk of tumors (Animal Study Research). Another serious concern is the removing of mandatory labeling for certain GE Foods, making it difficult for the consumer to identify GE Products. This limits choice by Non transparency
Will this also lead to the creation of GE Animals this risks involving invasive procedure, a high rate of developmental; abnormalities, un anticipated welfare issues in cloned offspring. Of course there are ethical concerns when it comes to the manipulation of an organisms genetic makeup including those related to intellectual property (Patenting Life Forms) Playing with Nature… Eeem Those that Control the Food Control The People. (For me the everlasting NO Trust Bio Tech COVID- Experiments-)
NEW ZEALAND WIDE PROTEST TOMORROW.. SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 12- 2PM KEEP NZ GE FREE. …See the Poster on my facebook for locations across NZ.
WakeUpNZ. Researcher Cassie
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