March 24, 1998
ERMA New Zealand is the key agency under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
From 1 July this year the Act becomes a key tool for managing environmental risk.
Applications to import or develop new or genetically modified organisms will be assessed by ERMA New Zealand from 1 July this year. From October ERMA New Zealand will also make decisions on applications relating to hazardous substances.
This will ensure a consistent method of managing environmental risks, using an open process with public input.
Members of the Authority
- W J (Bill) Falconer, Chair;
- Dr Oliver Sutherland, Deputy Chair;
- Helen Hughes;
- Dr Terry Lomax;
- Dr Lindie Nelson;
- Professor Alastair Scott;
- Professor Barry Scott;
- Mr John Maasland;
Chief Executive
- Dr Bas Walker;
Risk Issues out in the open
The Environmental Risk Management Authority has published the first issue of a regular newsletter - Perspective.
Chief Executive Dr Bas Walker says Perspective aims first to inform people about the activities of ERMA New Zealand and the implementation of the HSNO Act, and also to promote public discussion on risk assessment and management.
"We know that risk analysis and management is not driven by science alone. Social values and expectations also come into play. As risk decision-makers it is vital that ERMA talks to and builds trust with those people making applications and the New Zealand community in general.
"Perspective is one of the tools we have to ensure people understand what we are here to do and how the application process works.
"New Zealand has the opportunity to become a world leader in assessing the benefits or potential hazards of new organisms and hazardous substances."
Perspective is a quarterly publication available free of charge from ERMA New Zealand.
ERMA has also set up a website. An advance site is up and running, with the full site going on-line in late March. The site will be interactive and allow for live discussion on environmental risk issues. A record of applications made and approved by ERMA will also be available.
More public information activities are planned by ERMA New Zealand leading up to the first applications under the new law in July.
For further information contact:
Karen Cronin,
Manager Communications.
Phone: 04 473 8426
or email to: enquiries@ermanz.govt.nz