Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Sector mainly open to GE review

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Calls to rework genetic engineering regulations have been largely welcomed by the primary sector as producers seek out options to deal with gas emissions, nutrient loses and market opportunities for healthier produce.
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Professor Barry Scott who headed a Royal Society panel on GE technology has described the existing GE regulations as obsolete and stymieing New Zealand’s efforts to keep pace with global competitors picking up the technology. 

The last review of GE technology was almost 20 years ago when it was included in the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act. 

While allowing for GE trials, the regulations make the trials near impossible to do in NZ. 

Latest GE technology contrasts to earlier techniques that often involved trans-species gene interchanges. 

Today’s Crispr technology effectively edits small pieces of one species’ genetic material.

“Our work has really opened the door to this conversation, one that has not been held for some time. 

“I think, in a general sense, the discussion is a lot more considered than it was a few years ago. 

“The Government also finds itself in something of a dilemma. 

“GE crops could prove to help with greenhouse gas emissions so it puts the Government in the hot seat and they would be foolish if they did not look into these possibilities,” Scott said.

But Beef + Lamb chief executive Sam McIvor said the body supports the regulations as they stand, preventing genetically engineered meat entering the food chain.

“B+LNZ notes there are many other genetic technologies available to support animal breeding and plant development that do not involve genetic modification, such as individual animal and herd genotyping/phenotyping,” he said.

He acknowledged technology like Crispr might help pastoral farming address issues like gas emissions and nutrient losses.

“But at the same time both NZ and international consumers continue to have concerns about genetically modified food.” 

He noted, however, those views are not always predictable, given new alternative protein foods often use GE ingredients.

Scott said Otago University work on consumer food perceptions indicate while clean and green values are important, GE or non-GE is less so.

McIvor acknowledged B+LNZ’s own research shows consumer reluctance around GE eased when it was proved the technology provides health and environmental benefits.

Foundation for Arable Research chief executive Alison Stewart said it is debatable whether NZ food will fetch a premium for being non-GE.

“That may be right for a few products but if health benefits can be shown when we use such technologies, that is quite likely to be picked up by consumers.”

NZ would be severely remiss to not revisit the regulations, she said.

FAR can already see benefits to growers and consumers in picking up the latest technology.

“We can now look back over 25 years of GE food grown and there have been none of the consequences predicted. I think the public are more open to it.” 

She agrees the concept of being clean and green and using GE technology are not mutually exclusive.

“We must support the technology if it can be proven to help reduce pest levels, nutrient losses and disease levels in crops.”

However, FAR members will be led by consumer demand.

“If you have a market out there saying ‘no, we don’t want it’ then you won’t do it but if consumers accept it we would explore the benefits it can bring.”

DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle said there is now a broad spectrum of possible GE applications not permitted, ranging from gene editing to genetic modification.

“The time has come for us to have a mature national conversation about the application of gene editing technologies in NZ.

“If climate change is a sufficiently serious global challenge for NZ to be considering how to restructure our entire economy then every tool should be considered as we look to reduce emissions.

“That should include further exploration of the role gene editing may have to play, particularly when it comes to climate resilience and reducing agricultural emissions.

HortNZ deputy chief executive Leanne Stewart said it is important to breed plants resistant to pests, diseases and drought to reduce pesticide use and respond to water shortages.

“To maintain NZ’s competitive advantage we may need to look for tools that speed up the breeding of new plants to support continued innovation and growth.”

But Zespri, one of Hort NZ’s largest stakeholders, remains ambivalent about the use of the technology.

A Zespri spokesman acknowledged the value such technology might bring but also that Zespri maintains its conventional breed discovery programme fits with consumer perceptions of kiwifruit.

Forest Owners Association president Peter Weir said the Royal Society’s work highlights the problem of wilding conifers that continue to spread despite millions being spent on them.

“If the fertility was switched off in these trees through a gene edit then not only would the spread of wildings be curtailed, the tree would divert more energy into growing wood, adding to carbon dioxide absorbed and help combat climate change.”

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