The United States, a hotbed of genetic modification (GM), has much to learn from New Zealand's approach to the contentious issue, says a visiting US Government researcher.
Charles Hanrahan, senior specialist in agricultural policy in the US Congressional Research Service, sees the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification as an"exciting process, unlike anything we have in the US."
"The need for more public information on this broad issue is something the US could benefit from. We're moving in that direction but we still have some way to go."
The commission, chaired by former Chief Justice Sir Thomas Eichelbaum, will begin a series of public meetings next Monday, will launch public hearings from 109 interested persons a month later, and will take written submissions from others up to December 1.
It is due to report back to the Government next June.
The commission will investigate how New Zealand should best deal with genetically modified organisms and products.
Our Government has already announced plans to introduce compulsory labelling of GM food, and the main reason for Mr Hanrahan's visit was to examine these moves.
He said the US Government had initially resisted labelling but recently President Bill Clinton had introduced a voluntary labelling scheme and US food producers recognised that they had to label to get into overseas markets.
US companies, the food industry and grain handlers were finally taking steps to meet demand for non-GM food, or anticipating the demands to do so. But their output of non-GM food was still relatively small.
"US farmers would like to see international uncertainty about biotech reduced, but at the same time they're continuing to plant biotech crops, as the demand for GM-free corn, soy beans and cotton crops is still tiny," said Mr Hanrahan.
GM issues were also far down the list in the issues dominating public debate, with the upcoming presidential election uppermost.
In Congress, legislation to move to compulsory labelling was being introduced but would only gather pace after the election in November. Likewise, the progress of biotech caucuses being formed in Congress to try to reconcile commercial agriculture and consumer interests.
Mr Hanrahan believed that the outcome of the election race between George W. Bush and Al Gore would have little impact on US trade policy as it affected New Zealand.
"Each candidate might bring certain nuances to our overseas trade policies but my belief is the basic thrust would be the same."
