July 28, 1998
A new piece of legislation comes into effect tomorrow - and the New Zealand environment will never look the same.
After nearly 10 years in the making, the long awaited Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 is about to commence, for new organisms. A further section of the Act, relating to hazardous substances is due to come into effect on 1st April 1999.
From now on if you want to import a new plant or animal species into New Zealand you will need approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority - ERMA New Zealand. The Act also covers genetically modified organisms (GMO's), including development in containment, field trial or release.
A ‘new organism' is a new species of plant or animal coming into New Zealand for the first time. Historically New Zealand has seen a variety of introduced species, from rabbits, possums, and goats to catfish, ostriches, and camels - and more recently RCD, the rabbit calici virus. In the plants area, a number of species have been introduced only to become weeds, such as old man's beard, ginger and gorse. A ‘new organism' could also be a plant or animal developed in New Zealand through genetic engineering, for example, genetically modified potatoes, pine trees or sheep.
ERMA New Zealand Chief Executive, Dr. Bas Walker, says his organisation is pleased to be starting work.
"We expect a pretty high number of applications in the first few months. We have been keeping in touch with potential applicants and there are already some 20 organisations that may be applying to the Authority. The applications could include proposals for genetically modified crops and stock animals.
Bas Walker is preparing for a high level of public interest in the controversial area of genetically modified organisms. The HSNO Act provides for greater public involvement in decision making on new organisms than in the past.
Information about applications received by ERMA New Zealand will be available on public registers and via the Authority's website. Applications will also be publicly notified and key groups will be kept up to date through the ERMA New Zealand database. Anyone can make a submission on a notified application. Anyone who makes a submission also has the right to call for a public hearing.
"We know there are strong feelings out there about genetically modified organisms. On the one hand, some people believe that GMO's are the future for New Zealand agriculture - while other people have serious concerns about the potential impacts, for the environment and people. The Authority will base its decisions on the scientific evidence and take public submissions into account. In particular, it will consider if the benefits outweigh the costs and risks, and thus whether any risks are acceptable," says Dr. Walker.
The Authority -an independent body of experts set up by the Minister for the Environment - will use criteria in the HSNO Act to make its decisions.
Dr. Walker stresses that each application will be considered on its merits.
"However, over time the decisions of the Authority will establish precedents and therefore the first decisions will need to be considered very carefully."
ERMA New Zealand is urging anyone with plans to introduce new animal
or plant species to New Zealand to contact them to check if they are covered
by the Act, and if so, to find out how to apply.
For further information contact:
Karen Cronin
Manager Communications.
Phone: 04 496 4826
Fax: 04 473 8433
or email to: enquiries@ermanz.govt.nz