February 8, 2000
ERMA New Zealand Chief Executive, Dr Bas Walker confirmed that ERMA New Zealand had been formally advised by Monsanto of its decision to withdraw its application to conduct field testing of genetically modified wheat. Dr Walker said that applicants always had the right to withdraw in this way.
ERMA New Zealand will now be writing to all those people who made submissions on the Monsanto application advising them that this has been withdrawn and explaining that no further action is required by ERMA New Zealand. Dr Walker said if at some stage in the future Monsanto decided to make another application it would be a case of going back to square one with the process. This he said would mean that people who made submissions on the recent application would be able to make new submissions on any new application.
Dr Walker said the withdrawal of the Monsanto application coincided with the next step by ERMA New Zealand in progressing arrangements for a public hearing into the Monsanto application. In that regard, he said the timing was fortunate.