July 1, 1998
The Environmental Risk Management Authority – ERMA New Zealand – has confirmed there will be a delay in the commencement of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. The new organisms aspect of the Act was due to take effect today. The hazardous substances part of the Act was not due to start until later in the year.
The Minister for the Environment, Hon Simon Upton, announced at a national risk management conference on 17 June that the new organisms start date would be delayed “until at least the end of July”. The delay was due to the need to formalise regulations prepared by the Ministry for the Environment.
ERMA New Zealand's Chief Executive Dr. Bas Walker confirmed today that the situation remained the same as at the time of the Minister's announcement.
“The Authority is ready to go and is talking to known potential applicants about their proposals for new organisms. However, until the formal machinery is in place, we are unable to process applications. Our best information is that we will be able to start work in a few weeks time.”
The Environmental Risk Management Authority is a semi judicial body, appointed by the Minister for the Environment. Its role is to consider applications for the introduction of hazardous substances or new organisms to New Zealand.
New organisms could include new plants and animals introduced to New Zealand for the first time e.g. breeds of camel or fish species or exotic plants. The Act also regulates genetic engineering, including, for example, genetically modified grain crops, sheep or pine trees.
The Act does not cover cloning or genetically modified food.
For further information contact:
Dr. Bas Walker
Chief Executive
ERMA New Zealand
PH 04 473 8426
Karen Cronin
Manager, Communications
ERMA New Zealand
PH 04 496 4826
Home 04 3862359
or email to: enquiries@ermanz.govt.nz