HSNO information sheet 3: What is a new organism?
New organisms
A new organism is any animal, plant or microbe that is not currently present in New Zealand. New organisms can be introduced into New Zealand, or can be developed here through genetic manipulation.
Introduced plants and animals have provided enormous benefits but also problems in New Zealand. Advances in the science of genetic manipulation can also be beneficial, but require strict controls to limit risks.
Organisms can arrive in several ways. They can be unintentionally introduced, such as fruit flies arriving on imported food. They can be introduced intentionally, such as sheep, pines, trout, clover, and roses. Genetic manipulation can create new organisms here in New Zealand. In the past, many new organisms have been introduced with little or no assessment, and have later caused serious problems, for example, possums, rabbits and old man's beard.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 came into force for new organisms in July 1998. The Act covers the deliberate introduction or creation of new organisms, and works with the Biosecurity Act 1993 to ensure pests and diseases are also kept out of New Zealand.
Definition
The Act (section 2(1)) defines a new organism as:
- any species of organism (virus, bacterium, plant or animal of any kind) which was not legally present in New Zealand on the date that the Act came into force;
- any organism kept only in containment, for example, for further study, or on display at a zoo;
- any genetically modified organism which has not been approved for release;
- any risk species as defined in regulations made under section 140 of the Act;
- any species of organism not approved for release under section 38 of the Act; or
- any species which has been eradicated.
Further information
For further information access the ERMA New Zealand website, or contact:
Dr S.R. Vaughan
Project Manager
Tel. 04 917-7404
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Reform
Ministry for the Environment
PO Box 10362
Wellington
Fax 04 917-7523
