June 20, 2002
The Environmental Risk Management Authority conference will be held in Auckland next week on 26 and 27 June, at the Waipuna Convention Centre in Mt Wellington.
Around 200 people from around New Zealand and from overseas are expected to attend, including scientists, manufacturers and importers, research companies, government agencies, health and safety managers, legal advisors, waste management consultants, environmental groups and Maori.
This is the Authority's 4th national conference and will cover genetically modified organisms, the introduction of new plants and animals to New Zealand and the management of hazardous substances. Highlights include:
- Keynote opening address on the 'Ethics of Biotechnology' by independent ethicist, Dr Barbara Nicholas
- An outline of science funding priorities for the biotech sector
- Maori views on biotechnology, with Auckland academic Manuka Henare
- Workshops on border control: what plants and animals are people trying to bring into New Zealand and how aware are they of the potential environmental risks?
- Presentations on 'green chemistry', including a special session by Richard Morley-Hall, Environmental Manager for The Warehouse New Zealand Ltd
- Workshops on compliance costs and business education about hazardous substances.
Hon Marian Hobbs, Minister for the Environment, will give a keynote address on the evening of Wednesday 26 June outlining the Government's approach to GMOs, new organisms and hazardous substances. Media personality Ruud Kleinpaste will be a guest speaker later in the evening.
The theme of the conference is "Beyond regulation: innovative strategies for the management of new organisms and hazardous substances." ERMA New Zealand spokeswoman Julie Watson said that the HSNO Act - the legislation controlling new organisms and hazardous substances - is now 6 years old. While regulatory processes are now in place there is still work to do to increase awareness about the issues and other strategies to manage or avoid environmental risks.
"We want to think beyond regulation at what people can do themselves to manage substances and organisms safely. This conference will look at the innovative processes that companies are taking to reduce costs and improve environmental and public health outcomes at the same time."
Media passes will be available at the registration desk.
For further information contact:
Julie Watson
Communications Manager
Tel: +64 4 918 4824
Mob: 021 674 954