Gene Technology Bill
The Gene Technology Bill will remove New Zealand's GE Free status.
The Coalition Government (National, ACT, NZ First) passed the Gene Technology Bills first reading on 17 December at 7.30.
All submitters must have their comments in to The Health Select Committee by the 17 February 2025.
Submissions are best suited to be in your own words. The phrase "No GE means No GE' does not need any justification. Positive statements like Keep NZ GE Free or Stop the Bill are all worth thinking about in your submission.
Important issues that are excluded from the Bill: that you might like to consider in a submission.
- No precautionary principle - to protect Nature and rural economy jobs.
- No reference to Te Treaty o Waitangi principles.
- No liability on users of GE to ensure they manage risks
- No supply chain segregation devoted to separation and identity preservation
- No labelling of exempted GE organisms to preserve farmer and consumer choice
- No specified standard for Ethics or to prevent animal cruelty
- No economic consideration of the value of Non-GMO exports
- There are significant legislative changes to Resource Management Act (RMA), Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) and Biosecurity Acts.
- Regional or district council will be unable to put in precautionary and protective rules for Non-GMO producers or declare GM Free regions.
- HSNO Act regulates all genetically engineered (GE) organisms using new breeding techniques (NBT) like gene editing, transgenic, synthetic biology are regulated.
- The HSNO Act regulates all GE applications and considers effects on the environment and economic livelihoods for now and future generations.
- The Gene Technology Bill will create an new body with a business and innovation lens.
- All references to Genetic modification/ gene editing removed from legislation and new GE terminology defined as "regulated organisms"
- All exempted (not regulated) GE products, plants and seeds (SDN1, SDN2) will be allowed to enter NZ, unlabelled and untested for safety and considered as non-GE.
- Once released they will not be able to be recalled, as genetic elements are spread through the natural pollination and reproduction processes.
Background reading
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) information
Comparison between HSNO Act and proposed Gene Technology Bill
Science Media Centre -
Gene Technology Bill introduced to parliament – Expert Reaction - conflict of interest declared as many had a hand in writing the GT Bill as well as benefiting from biotechnology patents and funding.
New Zealand Legislation
Gene Technology Bill - Explanatory note -General policy statement
Assessments of the GT Bill
NZ's Rush To Push New Gene-Editing Laws – A Hidden Risk For Our Future? Prof. Jack Heinemann: Director Of Centre For Integrated Research In Biosafety.
NZ’s New Gene Tech Bill Under Fire, GE Free NZ’s Battle With Delayed OIA’'s: Legal Hub: With Katie Ashby-Koppens. Excellent interview (1-16mins)
Potential costs of regulatory changes for Gene Technology: Economic assessments of an MBIE proposal. (2024) New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (NZIER) report estimates that the loss of NZ GE Free status in export demand would be between $10-$20 billion.
Why GE Crops Can Never Coexist With Non-GE Crops – With Evidence Of Contamination In Europe. Claire Bleakley: President Of GE Free NZ (2024)
GENETIC ENGINEERING PANEL NZ's Gene Technology Bill - Rushed Reform Or Reckless Revolution? The Fight For Food Transparency: Guy Hatchard, Jodie Bruning, & Jon Carapiet (2024).
The Govt's Removal Of Environmental Safeguards For GMO Trials And Judith Collins' Recent Comments Prof Jack Heinemann: Centre For Integrated Research In Biosafety Director (2024)
GE Free NZ press releases on the Gene Technology Bill
OANZ GE in the News - a variety of comments made by organic farmers and scientists
Dr Guy Hatchard has made a video on YouTube "The Gene Technology Bill—What Kiwis Need To Know" and a template with more ideas for submitters on the submission template