Caution over GM project

Northland Regional Council has backed away from helping to fund a regional approach to the control of genetically modified organisms.

District councils north of Auckland had indicated their support for a Northland-wide approach to the issue after a legal opinion found they should be able to control the release of GM organisms.

The councils are now being asked to help fund further work on the project.

But at a NRC meeting, councillors agreed to hold off funding.

Chairman Mark Farnsworth said the Northland-wide initiative was more relevant to district councils than to the regional council.

Regional councils have responsibility over emissions to land, sea and air, whereas district councils are responsible for land use.