Corn crop seized in new GE scare

By MATHEW DEARNALEY and SIMON COLLINS

About 30 tonnes of suspected genetically modified corn seed produced on farms around Pukekohe and Gisborne has been discovered and will be destroyed.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is moving quickly to contain damage from the country's second major GM contamination scare in a month.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said last night the new discovery showed GM corn or maize was now so widespread in the US that New Zealand should stop importing any more seed from there.

Officials have been much swifter this time to disclose their findings after author Nicky Hager last month dropped a bombshell into the the election campaign by revealing an alleged contamination cover-up almost two years ago.

Word of the new scare came late yesterday when MAF said Queensland-based Pacific Seeds had reported possible contamination from tests conducted on Monday on seeds produced by contract growers.

MAF acting director-general Larry Fergusson said the firm offered to destroy the lot, before being directed to do so, to protect its reputation for being GM-free.

He said the seed was grown to supply to farmers rather than for direct human consumption, and none had entered the food chain.

But he could not rule out the possibility of contamination of neighbouring crops.

Pacific Seeds had supplied documentation assuring MAF and the Environmental Risk Management Authority that stringent isolation standards were observed, but the farms would be re-inspected to guarantee no further contamination.

Mr Fergusson said the corn was grown in 16 lots. He did not know how many farms they were in.

He was reasonably confident all the suspect seed had been gathered into three secure locations, but further checks were being made.

While there remained a possibility of "false positives" from the tests, he told the Herald it appeared likely at this stage that the country had its first genetically contaminated crop.

The contamination was a mystery, because parent seed was tested as GM-free before being imported.

An initially positive test for contamination of 5.6 tonnes of sweetcorn seed that arrived in New Zealand late in 2000, and was revealed in Hager's book Seeds of Distrust, was later re-analysed and declared GM-free.

Mr Fergusson said MAF and Erma were impressed with the speed with which Pacific Seeds told them of the possible contamination risk.

"They have done this in full knowledge of the fact they could face legal action should it be proved that an offence has been committed under the provisions of the HSNO (Hazardous Substances and Noxious Organisms) Act," he said.

"Their offer to destroy all of the seeds in question without being instructed to also reflects well on their credibility."

Pacific Seeds managing director Chris Bazley said his firm took action as soon as it received positive tests. "It is a serious issue - your jails are probably like Australian jails - not very pleasant."

He would not disclose the name of the company's two United States seed suppliers, except to say neither was Novartis, source of the seed involved in the earlier scare.

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs said between 20 and 21 tonnes of corn from the latest imports was harvested from seed planted by Seed Solutions on 15ha of leased land near Pukekohe, and nine tonnes from a paddock in Gisborne.

Seed Solutions manager Rene Van Tilberg said Pacific Seeds had tested the parent seeds in Australia, even though testing was not required by New Zealand law until the beginning of this month.

"It's disappointing that despite all the care and professionalism that they've shown this has occurred."

Mr Van Tilberg said the GM contamination would not ruin Seed Solutions' reputation.

"Our reputation isn't at stake because we've done what we're required to do, but it makes New Zealand look stupid for taking it to this degree.

"It just demonstrates to the rest of the world what a farcical policy this country has on GE. We have to meet the rules, but the reality is I'd eat it, I'd sleep in it, I'd do anything with it."



Waiuku farmer Pete Stanfield said a possible GM contamination in Pukekohe would not ruin the reputation of other farmers.

"You only buy a proven variety, not the stuff they trial."

* Additional reporting: Cathy Aronson, Scott MacLeod, Catherine Masters

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