November 24, 1999
The Environmental Risk Management Authority has released its decision on a proposal for genetically modified cattle.
The application from Ag Research was to modify dairy cattle for the purpose of:
- changing the composition of milk to make to increase the casein content;
- changing the composition of milk to reduce the beta lactoglobulin content;
- introducing a synthetic human gene to produce a human protein in cows' milk, for the possible development of a new treatment for multiple sclerosis.
The Authority has approved the first two modifications, with controls. However, it has adjourned its consideration of the third modification, involving the human gene, while it seeks further information.
The approved modifications will ‘knock out' some elements of the cattle gene and ‘double up' others.
ERMA New Zealand Chief Executive, Dr Bas Walker, emphasised that the approval was for field testing the cattle for scientific purposes.
"The cattle will be kept in close containment and all the genetically modified material, and the milk and waste products, will be kept on site or destroyed. This is a field test for a limited period of time, under strict conditions, so there is a negligible risk to the environment or public health."
The research on GM cattle is being done at Ag Research's Ruakura campus near Hamilton. The application covered two herds of up to thirty cattle, for a period of five years. Approval was sought for a field test, to be conducted under containment conditions on the site.
The Committee was satisfied that, subject to controls, the containment regime could adequately contain the cattle for this field test.
Controls
The approval carries a range of controls including:
- keeping the cattle in a MAF approved containment facility;
- double tagging of conventional cattle in the facility;
- ear tags and microchips for the GM cattle;
- two 2m high fences;
- electronic monitoring of the inner perimeter fence;
- any viable semen or ova derived from the GM cattle are to be retained or disposed of within the facility;
- disposal of all GM cattle, aborted foetuses and offspring on site;
- release of conventional (non GM) surrogate cows that fail to become pregnant only after three negative pregnancy tests;
- disposal of waste milk and cream by effluent digester or incineration on site, or spraying onto pasture on site after treatment.
Monitoring of the controls is the responsibility of MAF.
Long term uses
The long-term aim of the research is to undertake genetic modification studies in dairy cattle that could ultimately lead to the production of genetically modified foods and human drugs.
The Authority noted that its decision related only to the applicant's proposed research and should not be taken as any commentary on the safety of any products that may be derived from genetically modified cattle.
Dr. Walker stressed that the approval applies only to this field test of the cattle.
" Any other field testing or release of GM cattle would need a separate approval from the Authority. And furthermore, any milk product developed for the food chain would also require approval from the Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA), before it was released onto the market," he said.
Use of human gene
The Authority has adjourned its consideration of the third modification, which involved the use of a human gene. This part of the application raised particular concerns from submitters and the local hapu Ngati Wairere who expressed cultural objections to the proposal.
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 requires the Authority to take account of the relationship between Maori and their culture and taonga. Dr. Walker said that the Authority had decided to seek further information on this matter before it makes its decision.
"The Authority has called for information on measures that may be taken to ameliorate any adverse effects for Maori that may arise from the proposal, said Dr. Walker.
"The presentations made by Ngati Wairere indicated significant local concerns about the potential cultural impacts of the field test. The Authority wants to see how these concerns might be ameliorated. Once the information is received, the Authority will resume its consideration and come to a final decision on that part of the application," said Dr. Walker.
Timing
The information process has been initiated under S. 58 (1) (a) of the HSNO Act. It is expected to take some weeks through into the New Year. Dr. Walker said the aim was to have the information back to the Authority by the end of March, or earlier if possible.
"The final decision will be made by the Authority in accordance with the provisions of the HSNO Act," said Dr. Walker.
The application was received on 11 December 1998 and the hearing was held on 25 August 1999. Thirty submissions were received and of these, 16 people made presentations at the hearing.
Full details of application and the submissions received are also available.
ENDS.
For further information:
| Bas Walker Chief Executive Ph. 04 473 8426 |
Karen Cronin Communications Manager ph 04 496 4826 or 04 918 4826 |