Tightening the genetically modified organism precautions in the district plant would affect LIC and its ability to use gene-editing to improve the dairy industry.
“We don’t see the need for any regulation from the Waikato District Council level at all,” he told a day-long hearing.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s role in assessing GMOs case by case is sufficient.
If the precautions mean it cannot house germ plasm that might force it out of Hamilton.
Spelman and Biotech New Zealand executive director Zahra Champion said such rules could stifle innovation and science.
NZ Forestry Research Institute (Scion) intellectual property executive Gregor MacDonald said it opposes adding GMO provisions because they would duplicate the function of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act, the EPA and the Primary Industries Ministry.
The EPA process for approving GMOs is more restrictive than any other regulatory process in the world and creating more barriers could see NZ lose out to overseas competitors using similar technology. It would also have a negative affect on the region by reducing its ability to attract new and innovative companies, MacDonald said.
Federated Farmers Waikato president Andrew McGiven while it takes a neutral position on GMOs it opposes the controls because they might deny the benefits gene technology could give farmers. It supports the status quo where the EPA assesses GMOs case by case.
Veteran Maori rights campaigner Angeline Greensill supports the precautions, calling GMOs unnatural and against the tikanga of Maori.
“We would have difficulty in accepting it in our space. This is an opportunity for a policy to be put in place for GMOs in this district.”
GE Free NZ president Claire Bleakley said talk of duplicating the HSNO or the EPA is incorrect.
“We are not asking the council to do any scientific evaluation. We are just looking at the council putting in some kind of protection for the effects of once its released and how do you control the contamination and the spread and the costs to those people.
“We are in essence asking that you please place provisions to the use of GMOs, place rules, policies and objectives in the plan and prohibit the full release of GMOs in this area.”
Another concern is the limitations of the HSNO Act. While GMO trials are bound by that legislation, once trials finish it is up to the communities and councils to control any harm the organism causes, she said.
Waikato organic dairy farmer Gavin Fisher said GMOs are a threat to his livelihood, family and his company.
If a GMO organism found its way onto his farm and was eaten by one of his cows it would lose its certification for the rest of its life under United States Agriculture Department organic certification rules.
“Our customers want GMO-free products and I think they should have that choice.”
He doubts GMO grasses can be contained. If his neighbour grew such grass pollen would travel across the fence to his paddock.
“I look up into the sky in the last three weeks and see I smoke blowing from Australia and I’m led to believe that pollen won’t blow across the fence and onto my property?” he said.
Life Sciences Network chairman and former Federated Farmers president Dr William Rolleston said there is no credible evidence of residual harm from GMOs or of the EPA not doing its job in monitoring GMOs.
“There’s room in the marketplace for all kinds of agriculture and that’s how NZ should proceed.”
He also believes the organic sector is overstating the potential economic impact if a GMO organism is released.
The hearings commissioners are expected to release their decision after the district plan hearings are completed next year.
