Gene Technology Bill
Background: In December 2024, the NZ Government proposed a fast track bill to radically alter New Zealand’s GE GMO Free status.
Why Is the Methane Science Accord involved?
Many of the proposed Gene Editing Technologies are being advocated to reduce methane, these are novel, untested technologies with unknown risks to animals, ecosystems, indigenous biodiversity and trade.
Update: The Bill is currently waiting to go through a second reading.AgResearch projects using Regulated Gene BioTechnology > Budget 2018-2022,
Methane Inhibitors : 6.477million (6.469 million PGGRC)
GE Forages for GHG : 26.101million (DairyNZ 3.85million)
GE Pasture microbes/fungi for GHG 18.522 million
Methane Vaccines : 5.51 million (4.135 million PGGRC)
Insects and Animals for GHG : 12.65 million (Insect active nano-machines & climate-smart dairy cattle +)
Data Obtained Under OIA,
1, 2, 3, 4 Many of the biotechnologies invested in by AgriZero include GMO products for Ruminant Methane, such as a GMO Probiotic by Hoofprint Biome and would require a law change for use within NZ, as reported on by Farmers Weekly in 2023. Other Organisations are working on Regulated Gene BioTechnology for farming, including Otago University.
Generally speaking these GMO projects obtain funding via MBIE through claiming their GMO biotechnology will result in reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions or that it will help farmers be more productive with less land, and less animals; in order to meet Climate Goals.
While many of these projects began under Labour, the National Party Policy, as reported in Agtech Navigator in 2023 “National, has said it would focus on giving farmers the tools and technology they need to cut emissions: … including … updating biotech rules which will help farmers reduce methane emissions using gene edited crops, feed, and livestock.”
PGGRC: Pastoral Greenhouse Gases Research Consortia,
Includes: Beef & Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, Fonterra, DEEResearch, AgResearch, MPI, NIWA, MBIE, Fertiliser Association, Landcorp Farming, PGG WrightsonGENE TECHNOLOGY BILL
An Introduction
Animal Experiments
WHEN DID FARMERS ASK FOR THIS?
GMO FOR PEST CONTROL.
What does that really look like?
What will it cost?
What are the risks
Economic Risk for Farmers
Economic Risks & Opportunities from Release of Genetically Modified Organisms
New Zealand Treasury 2003.
Introduction of GE RYE (GMO Forages for Climate Change), estimates 0-20% reduction in Farmgate prices.
If adoption of GM technology leads to across-the-board discounts on New Zealand meat, dairy products, and fruit, then the demand shift leads to a loss in producer returns.
In the case where there is no productivity improvement, this discount leads to a reduction in producer returns of 43.3%
“Where New Zealand refrains from releasing GMOs, the trade model finds that other countries’ increasing productivity with GMOs has little impact on producer returns.
In contrast, a demand effect resulting in a 20% preference for non-GM products increases New Zealand producer returns by 33% above the base case.”
Note: 90%+ of commercial GMO’s have either herbicide or insecticide gene edit or stacked (both) traits added. No commercial GMO increases production, they temporarily reduce losses, till chemical resistant pests adapt.
2001 study by PA Consultants estimated the loss to the dairy industry if NZ’s clean green image was tarnished would be as high as $214 million.
Market Perceptions for NZ exports:
Lincoln University’s Agribusiness & Economics Research Unit;
NZ, could be receiving a 59% higher price for primary exports (on average) because of the country’s brand.
Consumers trust NZ is GE-free creates a price premium for food and fibre exports of 24%, possibly more.
Potential costs of regulatory changes for Gene Technology Report
NZIER report to OANZ Nov 2024
Loss of ‘Pure NZ premium’ could translate to $20.3 Billion annually LOSS in ALL food & fibre exports, at current market rates.
Gene Technology Bill proceeded to Committee without a standard minimum economic or trade impact report
Under Health Committee, no economic or trade impact is considered if GE is introduced.
97% of Submissions were against the Gene Technology Bill and of the 3%, 1.5% wanted significant reforms - that were NOT actioned
Standard Public Summary of Submissions have still NOT been released by MBIE
NO Risk to Farmers income or NZ’s $153Billion Agricultural Exports appears to have been considered by MBIE
MBIE appear to be driving the introduction of GMO for Climate Change and misguided theory that GMO will ensure a 15% reduction in the numbers of dairy cows, beef cows and sheep by 2030 while maintaining current production levels. - Feb’21
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Reports
Potential costs of regulatory changes for Gene Technology Report→NZIER report to OANZ Nov 2024
Economic Risks & Opportunities from Release of Genetically Modified Organisms in NZ→ Treasury 2003
Attitudes to NZ Food Attributes in Key Export Countries by AERU→ Lincoln University 2021
Are We Really Missing Out if NZ Remains GE Free
88% of the world’s countries grow NO GMO GE hectares
12% of the world’s countries grow GE GMO crops
Less than 4% of the world’s agricultural land is being cultivated with GM crops,
Less than 1% of the world’s farmers grow GM crops.
World total of GM agriculture is 189.8 million hectares. A total of 24 countries. The number of countries planting GMOs peaked in 2010, at 29 countries, declining since.
Sources: New World Map of Genetically Modified Organisms, 2019, John Paull + Benjamin D. Hennig Where in the world are GM crops and foods? :: CBAN.ca 2015 :: ISAAA 2018, ISAAA 2010 :: Royal Society.orgArticle: Why the Indecent Haste, Prime Minister
by Owen Jennings
-Former National President of Federated Farmers.
-Former Member of Parliament for ACT Party.
-Co-founder of Queen Elizabeth ll National Trust
.. this is the most important decision made in agricultural circles in decades, maybe ever. Such a momentous decision involving such complex and fraught science where there are vested interests that need exposure and where there are significant reservations stated by industry, by consumer groups, by scientists who have an in-depth understanding of the issue is ringing loud alarm bells.
Letter: Request the Gene Technology Bill be referred to the Primary Production Committee
NZ farmers are one, if not the only, farmers in the developed world that do not receive government subsidies, as such they are highly sensitive to market demand. While GMO GE farming in the United States is heavily government subsidised.
GMO GE is a lower value product, on average reducing crop value by 15-20% to non-GMO crops and 115%+ less than organic crops…NZ’s proposed Gene Technology Bill sets out no liability framework, no obligations to protect indigenous biodiversity, productive and speciality seeds, nor animal welfare. The bill appears to carve out liability- free framework for gene technologies. There appears no requirement to evaluate long tail risk, no obligations for disclosure and law appears to have been developed with only laboratory processes in mind.
Useful Articles +
Jack Heinemann, PROFESSOR of GENETICs + MOLECULAR BIOLOGY; University of Canterbury
‘You can package gene editors as pesticides and spray them from airplanes onto fields, and they won’t distinguish between a plant, a cow, a microbe, or a fungus or a human being. Those chemistries don’t know the difference. They are able to carry these gene editing tools into the cells of anything ’..
It’s not that they may have had a history of eating a GMO, [your cows] may be in real time an actual GMO or contaminated with actual GMO’s. that are inseparable from them because of this unregulated use of the gene editors outside of the containment facility.’
What can you do?
Submissions opened on 18 Dec 2024 and closed on Feb 2025.
Oral submissions have been completed.
97% of Submissions were against the Gene Technology Bill outright.
The 3% that supported the Bill, many asked for significant reforms, including: Traceability, Liability
Select Committee Report has been delayed twice 22 August
Select Committee Report Released Waiting For Second Reading Date
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What to Include:
What you are concerned about.
Speak from a personal point of view
Describe what the GENE Technology Bill could mean for you, your family and your business.
Bullet points are best.
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Email Format
MPs - first name.last name@parliament.govt.nz
Ministers - initial of first name full last name@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Prime Minister -c.luxon@ministers.govt.nz
Deputy Prime Minister -W.Peters@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Steve Abel -Steve.Abel@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Damien O'Connor -damien.oconnor@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Jo Luxton -jo.luxton@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Mark Patterson - Mark.Patterson@parliament.govt.nz
Hon Shane Jones - Shane.Jones@parliament.govt.nz -
Go old school and FREEPOST to your Party Leaders, Local + Favourite MP’s at Parliament.
MP’s Name
Private Bag 18888,
Parliament Buildings,
Wellington 6160Make sure to write FREEPOST in the top right hand corner.
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Stay up to date with progress of the Gene Technology Bill, Farmer specific issues and focused Rural Campaign against the Gene Technology Bill