December 23, 1999
Application Code GMF99003
Applicant Monsanto New Zealand Ltd
Purpose To import and field test, in the Canterbury region, genetically modified, Roundup Ready wheat, as a part of an international development programme to evaluate wheat varities that have been genetically modified to tolerate the herbicide Roundup.
The public submission period for the above application has now closed. After adding up all the submissions we received by fax, email and post we had a final total of 1418 submissions. Of these, 433 submitters requested to be heard at a hearing.
A Summary of Submissions Report is currently being prepared, and will be available in the New Year.
A public hearing will be held by the Authority probably in the week of 3-7 April 2000, in Wellington. These dates have yet to be confirmed, and submitters will be notified as soon as it is finalised. Only those submitters that indicated they wished to be heard will be able to speak at the hearing. They may call witnesses, however, and any person may attend as an observer.
The purpose of the public hearing is to enable submitters to present relevant information directly to the decision-making Committee, by speaking to their submission. The ERMA New Zealand Quick Guide to Hearings outlines the hearings process. In addition the Authority has recently released further guidance material for participants in the hearings process.
All submitters on this application are entitled to appear in front of the Authority. However, given the large number of submitters, this presents quite a logistical challenge and we are currently exploring how this could be managed.
- There has been a suggestion that some submitters have asked to be heard simply to get access to documentation such as our Evaluation and Review Report.
- If that is the case, ERMA New Zealand will undertake to provide this documentation whether or not the person attends the hearing.
- There may be scope for one presenter (or a small number) to present on behalf of the whole group of submitters.
- ERMA New Zealand is also offering to meet with submitters before the hearing - outside Wellington if required - to talk through the details.
- Finally, if the main concern of submitters is to have opportunity to discuss their views, with either the applicant or with ERMA New Zealand - we would be happy to organise an informal meeting before the hearing.
Submitters are being asked to advise ERMA New Zealand of their views on these options by 25th January 2000.