Greens lash out at 'secret' GM report

The Government's failure to release a Law Commission report on genetic modification and legal liability is fostering public mistrust, says Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

The commission has been asked to produce a final report by early September, after an initial report was returned for more work to be done.

It has yet to decide whether it will agree to the request.

The report examines whether the law is adequate to cover accidents associated with the new technology.

The commission officer responsible said the Government's request would be considered next week.

Ms Fitzsimons said liability was a major issue in the GM debate.

"Surely if the report does not advance the debate very far, the public can see that for themselves," she said.

"By suppressing the report, the obvious conclusion is that the Government has something to hide. If that's not the case, then let's see the report."

Research, Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson said the commission had been asked to do more work on:

* How other countries dealt with potential loss and damage from the release of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), compared with other potential forms of environmental loss or damage.

* How law and policy at present addressed management of actual and potential risks to the environment in other contexts.

* What liability would the law provide for any damage that might be caused by a GMO once approved and released.

* What would the existing law not cover.

* What alternative mechanisms or combination of mechanisms could be developed to cover those gaps.

Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson received the original work in May.

Mr Hodgson said the report was not full enough and he would not be releasing the draft because it did not take the issue forward or add to the debate.

He rejected allegations of a cover-up.

Genetic modification has become a key election issue, with the Greens vowing not to support any Government that lifted the moratorium on commercial release of GM. It is due to be lifted in October next year.

In its July 2001 report the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification said there was no need for changes to legal liabilities related to genetic modification.

But in October, when the Government announced its responses to the report, it asked the Law Commission to look into the matter.

The referral came after former Labour Prime Minister Sir Geoffrey Palmer called on the Government to make GM developers fully financially liable for its risks.

Sir Geoffrey's law firm, Chen Palmer & Partners, and consultants Simon Terry and Associates, produced a report saying GM developers should bear the full costs if damage resulted.

- NZPA

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