July 9, 2002
The period for public submissions on AgResearch's genetic modification development application to Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) closed on 27 June 2002. Up to 863 submissions have been received and ERMA New Zealand is currently in the process of analysing them.
The purpose of AgResearch's research is to develop transgenic cattle that can express functional therapeutic foreign proteins in their milk, and to develop transgenic cattle to study gene function and genetic performance.
Applications that are publicly notified by ERMA New Zealand allow for public participation in the decision making process by offering the opportunity for the public to send in written submissions. People who make submissions can also request to be heard at a public hearing should there be one. In this instance a hearing date has tentatively been set for the week beginning 12 August. The location of the hearing is yet to be determined.
Hearings are an opportunity for the Authority to be fully informed on an applications and for the parties to put before that Authority information which is relevant to the application under consideration. The emphasis should be on the effects, risks, costs and benefits of the application in the context of the statutory framework of the HSNO Act. There are guidelines available from ERMA New Zealand to ensure that this is the case, email info@ermanz.govt.nz
For more information about the current AgResearch application visit the focus page.
For further information contact:
Julie Watson
Communications Manager
Tel: 04 918 4824
Mob: 021 674 954