10 November 2000
The Authority's hearing into 2 applications from Forest Research for GM trees was held in Rotorua on 1-3 November. A total of 9 submitters (including witnesses) made presentations to the committee. This included the local iwi Ngati Tuhourangi and Te Arawa.
This was the first time that ERMA has held a hearing outside of Wellington. The committee chair, Dr Oliver Sutherland, said the decision to go to Rotorua had in part been in response to an invitation from local Maori to visit the area.
It was also useful to see the actual area where the field test is proposed.
The committee was able to inspect research facilities at Forest Research, including the contained GMO greenhouse where the pine and spruce trees are currently held and also visited the site of an earlier GM pine tree field test, approved by the Interim Assessment Group before the current HSNO Act started.
Before the hearing, Forest Research announced that if it received approval for the field test, it would delay planting out of trees until after the conclusion of the government's voluntary moratorium on GM. [to access Forest Research's press release]
This announcement did not affect the hearing. The Authority had already received the application and submissions about it and proceeded to hear the proposal under the provisions of the HSNO Act. The hearing was adjourned. The committee is now considering all the information presented to it.
A final decision is not expected for some weeks. Under the Act, the Authority has 15 days in which to publicly issue the decision once it has been made.
To find out other information on GM trees see Updates on Major Applications.