'Low risk' GM research can be approved by scientific institutions that have Institutional Biological Safety Committees, under delegated power from the Environmental Risk Management Authority. Low risk GMOs do not require public notification or submissions under the HSNO Act.
After unauthorised work was reported at the Otago University Christchurch School of Medicine and Landcare's Mt Albert research facility, investigations were begun in both those institutions. These reports are being finalised by ERMA New Zealand staff and are due to be presented to a special sub committee of the Authority within the next few weeks. The key issues will be to identify the reasons for systems failure in those institutions and the steps needed to rectify those problems.
Subsequently, the Authority revoked the delegations to all research institutions while it did a nationwide check. Since that time, researchers wanting to continue their work have had to come directly to the Authority itself for approval and to pay the requisite application fees.
"We have already processed and approved 4 applications; there are 10 more in the system and a further 15 at the pre application stage," said Dr Walker. The approved applications were for all for low risk GMOs to be used for teaching purposes. The decisions were made under the rapid assessment provisions of the Act and do not require public notification.
Delegations will not be re instated until the Authority is satisfied that an appropriate regime is in place in each institution.
"Our aim is to ensure that there was a system in place that we can have confidence in. If institutions meet the criteria laid down by the Authority, the delegations will be re instated immediately. For those institutions without an IBSC, researchers will still need to come to the Authority for approval.
However, if we do not get a satisfactory response from the institutions concerned, we will continue to withhold delegations until they become compliant and we are satisfied that a robust system is in place. If this is not achieved, we will then look at other enforcement measures," said Dr Walker.
In the meantime, ERMA New Zealand staff are continuing their normal annual audit, to monitor the decisions taken by institutions and to check compliance with the criteria for delegated authority. It was as a result of this standard audit process that problems were first identified at the Christchurch School of Medicine.