June 20, 2000
The Environmental Risk Management Authority is holding a special meeting in the South Island next week to talk to scientists involved with genetic engineering.
The session has been organised as part of ERMA New Zealand's national conference in Christchurch on 29 and 30 June. The Environmental Risk Management Authority controls the introduction of new organisms, including genetically modified organisms, and hazardous substances into New Zealand.
The conference will discuss the latest issues surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs), the effect of new plants and animals on New Zealand's bio diversity, and will promote good practice in environmental risk management.
ERMA New Zealand Communications Manager, Karen Cronin, said that a special session had now been added to the programme to brief scientists and research companies on the Authority's investigation into unauthorised GM developments. Decision-making powers in 21 research institutions were recently suspended, following reports of over 100 incidents of unauthorised GM research. These delegations are now being reinstated, pending a check on approval procedures.
" We will have all the Authority members and our senior in staff in Canterbury, which is an area where a lot of GM research is being done. There has been a bit of a reaction lately with media comment from some individuals on this situation. We hope that scientists and managers in the universities and Crown Research Institutes will take the opportunity talk to us in person - and get a better idea of what the approval system actually involves," said Ms Cronin.
The session will include a progress report on the Authority's current investigations. It will also outline the rapid assessment process available for low risk GM developments, in containment. This allows researchers to seek approval from on site bio-safety committees, rather than having to come to the Authority in Wellington for approval.
The conference is expected to attract 100-150 participants from around the country, including industry, scientists, legal and resource management advisors, Maori, environmental groups and government agencies.
For further information:
Karen Cronin Communications Manager,
ERMA New Zealand
Ph 04 496 4826
Mobile 04 918 4826