How genetic modification is regulated in New Zealand
Genetic modification (GM) is tightly controlled in New Zealand. Laws and regulations are enforced by several government agencies. These control the:
- genetic modification of any living thing
- importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) including, plants, animals and microbes
- sale of GM foods (including food ingredients) and medicines.
The laws covering GM
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 and the Biosecurity Act 1993 are the two main pieces of legislation governing genetic modification and its application to living things.
The HSNO Act applies to anything that can potentially reproduce or grow, and that includes fresh food (eg, GM potatoes) and any medicine containing a live GMO. The Biosecurity Act allows for the exclusion, eradication and management of pests and other unwanted organisms in New Zealand – including GM organisms.
The HSNO Act has recently been amended to allow for a new category of release called “conditional release”. This will allow the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), the body responsible for assessing applications under HSNO, to place controls on the use of GMOs approved for conditional release – for example special security fencing for animals, or requiring that a GM plant flowers at a different time from conventional crops of the same species.
Food, medicines, animal medicines and agricultural compounds (ie, pesticides and fungicides) that are, or contain, GMOs are subject to dual controls. The Food Act 1981, the Medicines Act 1981 and the Medicines Regulations cover foods or medicines while the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997 covers animal medicines and agriculture compounds. These Acts govern the safety, quality and efficiency of these products. Where they contain or are GMOs, they also require approval under HSNO in terms of the risks to the health and safety of people and the environment.
Standard A18/1.5.2 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code outlines the legal requirements for the sale and labelling of GM food. It is a mandatory standard and is one of many standards that regulate the safety, labelling and composition of food for sale on the domestic market. All GM food sold in New Zealand must comply with this standard.
Who makes decisions about genetic modification?
ERMA
The Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) is responsible for regulating all research, development, importation, field testing and release of genetically modified organisms. Its approval process is public, and public hearings must be held on any applications to field test, conditionally release or release a genetically modified organism. ERMA is an independent Crown agency established under the HSNO Act.
FSANZ
Food Standards Australia New Zealand develops food standards for both Australia and New Zealand, emphasising the protection of public health and safety. The final approving body for standards developed by Food Standards Australia New Zealand is the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Council (ANZFSC), which is made up of the Australian Commonwealth, state and territory Ministers of Health and the New Zealand Minister of Health.
Medsafe
Medsafe is the unit of the New Zealand Ministry of Health which assesses medical products for distribution and regulates products used for therapeutic purposes. It both assesses products before they are put on the market in this country, and monitors them afterwards.
IBSCs
Institutional Biological Safety Committees (IBSCs) decide whether or not low-risk experiments in contained laboratories should proceed. The IBSCs are located in the university or research centre where the work will be carried out. IBSCs usually consist of members of the institution doing the research (but not anyone directly involved in the research application), and members of the community in which the institution is sited. IBSCs have delegated authority from ERMA and must follow its rules. HSNO has been amended to consider applications for low risk “project-based” approvals. This also allows IBSCs to consider applications to import low risk GMOs.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – MAF
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the body responsible for new organisms enforcement under HSNO. This means that they enforce the conditions for genetically modified organisms imposed by ERMA on approved field tests and conditionally released organisms. This work also involves the inspection of containment facilities for research in containment and ensuring importers comply with the HSNO Act.
New Zealand Food Safety Authority – NZFSA
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is responsible for administering standards for safety, labelling and composition of food sold in New Zealand, including imported food and foods produced using genetic modification.
Ministry for the Environment – MFE
The Ministry for the Environment advises the government on environmental laws and policies, including managing the risks of introducing new organisms. It is responsible for the management and maintenance of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act.
Where can I find more information?
For information on the processes for assessing the safety and labelling of GM foods in New Zealand, contact:
Food Standards Australia New Zealand
PO Box 10-599
Wellington
Web address: www.foodstandards.gov.au
Tel: (04) 473 9942, Fax: (04) 473 9855
For information on the processes for assessing applications for GM organisms in New Zealand, contact:
ERMA New Zealand
PO Box 131
Wellington
Email: info@ermanz.govt.nz
Web address: www.ermanz.govt.nz
Tel: (04) 473 8426, Fax: (04) 473 8433
Last updated: 17 September 2007
