GE onion trial pointless, say Greens

Trials of genetically engineered onion crops approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) make no sense unless commercial release is the goal, says Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

Erma has said it did not consider questions about consumption of the crop and marketing it because the application was for a trial, not release.

"But the trial makes no sense unless we intend to grow the onions commercially," Ms Fitzsimons said yesterday. "The big question surrounding this application has always been: what's next?"

But the chairman of the GM advocacy lobby Life Sciences Network, William Rolleston, said yesterday the decision reflected the sound science presented during submissions.

"The trial is exactly what the Royal Commission recommended we should do - scientifically check out which uses of GM have benefit for New Zealand," he said.

Erma chairman Neil Walter said the quasi-judicial nature of the authority meant it was inappropriate to discuss the merits of the decision.

The decision was taken last week and made accessible on Erma's website with a password on Friday to many of those who made the 1500 submissions on the application.

"Unfortunately, it went out," he said of Friday's leak. An unknown person had broken confidence.

"I wouldn't say there was any sloppiness [from Erma]."

The recently lifted GM moratorium did not cover this type of field test application, which was allowed before and during the moratorium, Mr Walter said.

It was the 14th such decision Erma had made.

Mr Walter said he was concerned at some of the reasoning behind anti-trial protests and urged opponents to "come and see us".

- NZPA

Environmental Risk Management Authority:

Decision on field testing of GE onions

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Herald Feature: Genetic Engineering