Anti-GE groups promise deluge of submissions to ERMA

11.45am

The Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) does not expect a flood of applications when the Government lifts a moratorium on commercial release of genetically engineered (GE) organisms at midnight tonight.

But groups opposed to genetic engineering say they will oppose any applications with a flood of submissions.

Erma chief executive Baz Walker said today there could be an application within the next few days but that may be all for the time being.

"Erma expects one application in a short time frame, it'll probably be an isolated case, we don't expect a flood of applications," he said.

The authority would be conscious that its decision-making process would be closely monitored by all parties and was prepared for that scrutiny, he said.

Meanwhile, anti-GE campaigners have vowed to continue the fight, saying their efforts to oppose the introduction of GE are far from over.

Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said this morning that the plan was to flood Erma with submissions opposing any application for the release of genetically modified organisms.

"The Government thinks that GE is now off the political agenda, this is not the case," she said.

"The majority of New Zealanders are on our side believing that GE should not happen anywhere in the near future."

Meanwhile, protest group Mothers Against Genetic Engineering (Madge) also says it will be encouraging hundreds of people to lodge submissions against any release application.

Spokeswoman Alana Curry said the groups also planned to continue the fight on another front and concentrate on demanding food companies supply GE-free food.

"In the end the consumer is queen and if we don't buy it the seeds won't go in the ground," she said.

Greenpeace New Zealand also vowed to continue the fight saying "the battle is not over".

"Today begins the People's Moratorium," spokesman Steve Abel said.

"Today is a hollow victory for the Government because despite the moratorium ending the prospects for GE crops in New Zealand are the worst they have ever been," he said.

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said the end of the moratorium would not mean a rash of releases of genetically engineered organisms.

"The floodgates will not suddenly open," Ms Hobbs said in a statement.

"Anyone proposing to release a GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) has to apply to Erma and go through a rigorous assessment process, which includes public submissions."

An approval would only be given if there were minimum standards designed to protect health, safety and the environment, Ms Hobbs said.

Also, the benefits of the release had to outweigh any adverse effects, including economic effects.

Ms Hobbs pointed out amendments strengthening GE legislation were to come into effect tomorrow, including a new category of conditional release.

"This will allow Erma to attach controls on a case by case basis to any approval to release new organisms."

Other changes included enforcement procedures to ensure GE release conditions were not breached. Individuals could be fined up to $500,000 and companies up to $10 million, three times the value of any commercial gain from the release, or 10 per cent of the company turnover, whichever was the greater amount.

- NZPA