Hold on GE trials no bar to pine request

Field-trials of genetically engineered pine trees may be approved despite a moratorium on such experiments.

Environment Minister Marian Hobbs earlier this year announced a 15-month moratorium on new genetic engineering field trials while the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification is under way.

But Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) chief executive Dr Bas Walker said yesterday that Ms Hobbs' moratorium came into effect only on June 14, while two applications from a Government science company were received by Erma on June 18 last year "and therefore are not affected."

Erma officials said no other "new" field trial applications predating the moratorium remained in the regulatory pipeline.

The reason for nearly a year's delay in the radiata pine applications proceeding was that they had been sent back to the crown science company, Forest Research Institute, to supply further information.

"It is quite common for us to stall applications while we seek further details," Dr Walker said.

"In this case we wanted them to supply details on the issues of significance to local Maori before we processed the application further."

Dr Walker said the applications would be processed normally.

"None of this is affected by the moratorium," he said. "We are obliged by law to treat this application as we would any other."

Public submissions could be made up to August 30 .

Forest Research wants to field-test Pinus radiata plants over 22 years, with genetic modifications in genes controlling reproductive development, although the plants will be stripped of their flowers before pollen is created.

A second, 11-year project, is to field-test Pinus radiata and Picea abies (spruce) trees genetically engineered for herbicide resistance. The management regime includes removing flowers from the plants.

The tests would be conducted at the Forest Research Institute in Rotorua.

- NZPA

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