Nicky Hager: Seeds of Distrust

By PHILIPPA JAMIESON*

The publication of Nicky Hager's third book shows that, alongside the media, the humble book plays a role in disseminating topical information, asking searching questions and discussing issues of wide public concern.

Seeds of Distrust is short and accessible, and for anyone interested in GE or in government accountability and open democracy, it's worth reading.

Hager says that in November 2000, the Government learned that a shipment of sweetcorn seed, imported from the United States and planted in three regions of New Zealand, had tested positive for GE material. Initially, Prime Minister Helen Clark wanted the plants pulled out, but Hager claims that after big business lobbying in secret meetings she backed down and whisked through Cabinet an interim measure to allow GE contamination up to 0.5 per cent, so this particular shipment could be deemed GE-free. This was at odds with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act and therefore illegal (it has since been overturned).

Several tests were conducted and Hager says they produced a mix of results. ERMA's manager of science and research estimated the overall level of GE contamination at 0.4 per cent (about 15,000 plants). Unfortunately, the crucial information, the test results, are not included - bar one page of handwritten results.

Whether or not there was GE contamination, the strength of Seeds of Distrust is its examination of the Government's actions and processes. Hager argues that the Government deliberately downplayed the issue, including minimal or misleading information about the case in a Cabinet briefing paper, a media release and to the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. He puts the issue in context, both globally (how other countries have dealt with GE contaminated seed) and locally (ERMA's stringent rules for field trials and the ad hoc way the Government acted in this case).

All governments need close scrutiny to try to keep them honest and accountable. Seeds of Distrust raises some important questions. Why had the Government not anticipated the prospect of GE seeds being accidentally imported and not established clear processes to deal with this possibility? What were the exact results of the tests? If the results were inconclusive, why were not more seeds tested until results were conclusive?

If MAF has stored seed samples in case they were needed as evidence in a court case, can they now be tested? Why did the Government consult only the companies involved? Why were growers and the public not told?

The challenge is now for other journalists to pick up where Hager left off.

Craig Potton Publishing

$24.95

* Philippa Jamieson is a Dunedin freelance writer.