“We have more than 30 years of evidence demonstrating that GE’s supposed benefits have not been realized and its risks remain unaddressed,” Tompkins said.

During a three-day visit to Parliament late last month, a team of OANZ delegates met with ministers, departments and select committees to add their voices to the debate. They claim that the organic sector has been excluded from advisory committees.

Among those met was the Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister for Agriculture, Mark Patterson. Reply to the Heraldthe minister acknowledged that OANZ should have been engaged earlier.

“Certified organic farmers and producers are an important part of New Zealand’s primary sector. They have every reason to expect adequate consultation on decisions that may impact their businesses. I’m confident this is being corrected,” Patterson said.

From these meetings, the group’s conclusions were damning. They say the government process is both rushed and flawed, that the science used is poorly thought through and poorly understood by decision-makers.

The office of Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard confirmed he had met with OANZ but ordered the HeraldQuestions for Judith Collins, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.

“The government is safely updating New Zealand’s nearly 30-year-old genetic technology rules,” Collins said.

“Like Australia, a regulator will be created to allow New Zealand to access the benefits of these technologies such as cancer treatments and emissions reduction tools.

“The new rules and regulator will ensure that human health and the environment are protected and enhanced. The proposed legislation will be consistent with regulations in other countries. It is important to enable New Zealanders to benefit from science.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) also included a myth-busting section in its August press release. Among them was direct insurance to the organic sector.

“Myth: Genetically modified crops will be allowed outside of the laboratory, so crops growing around them (like organic crops) will be contaminated. Fact: It is expected that the risks associated with genetically modified crops intended for release into the environment will be assessed and if they require a full assessment then there will be a public consultation before the regulator is satisfied that the risks can be managed and the regulator can issue the license. »

OANZ says that despite this assurance, the risks are great for its industry. They would like to better understand the rewards.

“We want to know what’s driving such a radical change,” Tompkins said.

The government says New Zealand’s biotechnology sector, which includes genetic technology, generated $2.7 billion in revenue in 2020.

In addition to the economic benefits, the report claims that genetic technology can “help solve some of the major challenges facing our country.”

However, OANZ questioned the government’s data on economic benefits.

“No cost-benefit analysis or market analysis… It all looks like promises coming from the hip,” said OANZ spokesperson Brendan Hoare.

The group has now hired its own economist to assess the likely economic reward and financial risk to agriculture.

Hoare says OANZ is evaluating reforms purely from an agricultural perspective.

Wellington-based independent medical research center the Malaghan Institute welcomes changes to New Zealand’s biotechnology regulations, which it says could bring significant benefits to human health through innovative therapies.

“Streamlined regulatory processes will save time and money and could be the difference between whether a clinical trial opens in New Zealand,” said deputy director Professor Kjesten Wiig.

“The changes will also allow us to align with other jurisdictions and current scientific practices. »

Tompkins says the first reading of the bill will take place before Christmas and she hopes the government will allow a full select committee process beyond that date, so interested parties can give their views.

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