GE ANIMALS HEAD TO SUPREME COURT

SAFE is delighted that the Supreme Court is to consider the case brought by GE-Free NZ concerning four applications by AgResearch seeking indefinite and wide ranging use of GE animals in New Zealand. GE-Free NZ has been given leave to have the case heard following The High Court decision which set aside the applications as being unreasonably broad, being overturned on appeal.

"We are thrilled that the Supreme Court has accepted our case as the bar for such acceptance is high. There is enormous concern amongst the public about the planned introduction of GE animals, and this case will decide how New Zealand proceeds in relation to legal restraint of potentially extreme science," said Claire Bleakley president of GE-Free NZ in food and environment. "It will also clarify how the public can participate constructively in a process that affects them very personally, and has huge implications for the environment and New Zealand's exports".

ERMA (The Environmental Risk Management Authority) accepted four applications from AgResearch to develop, import and go into commercial production of products from GE animals across 18 species, including pigs, sheep, cows, alpacas, buffalo, deer, goats, horses and donkeys. The generic applications sought approval at any location and for an indefinite period to allow commercial production of biopharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and to produce diseased animals for research.

"GE-Free NZ previously took action in The High Court because of the alarming implications of these generic applications to commercialise GE animals as bio-factories anywhere, anytime, and in any place AgResearch chose. They are so lacking in vital information that it is impossible for submitters to know if and how their bio-security, economic wellbeing or community will be affected now or in the future," said Mrs Bleakley.

"The approach of case-by-case risk assessment which government promised New Zealanders as the cornerstone of legislation has been completely abandoned in these applications. What AgResearch and its overseas partners are seeking is so broad that it could allow the transformation of New Zealand agriculture by stealth, with no way to gauge or manage the risks," said Jon Carapiet, spokesperson for GE-Free NZ in food and environment.

GE-Free NZ believed that the information required by law was so deficient that no member of the public, independent scientific experts or ERMA could properly assess the risks to the community, animal welfare, bio-security or New Zealand's tourism and export-reliant economy.

"We were pleased that Justice Clifford previously found in our favour, declaring the applications to be invalid and setting them aside," said Claire Bleakley. "We felt that the subsequent Court of Appeal decision needed to be challenged to protect the national interest, and we are thrilled that the case is to be heard in the Supreme Court".

GE RESEARCH APPROVED - AGRESEARCH

AgResearch has been granted approval to continue genetic engineering research on goats, sheep and cattle, using human DNA, to produce human therapeutic proteins in milk.

The state-owned science company received approval from the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) to genetically modify bacterial and mammalian cells, mice, goats, sheep and cattle at its Ruakura facility, near Hamilton. Controls were imposed to prevent animal products from reaching the food chain.

The decision is separate to four other applications under consideration to allow AgResearch to further its GE research into transgenic animals, which have been genetically engineered to contain the genes from other species.

The application was for research and development to completion for proof-of-concept, not field tests.

The DNA constructs would be used in mice before being used to modify large animals such as cattle.

SAFE has condemned the decision by Erma. "AgResearch proposes to conduct highly contentious and potentially cruel GE experiments on animals that include field trials of genetically modified farm animals. New Zealand can say goodbye to its clean, green image and expect to see widespread suffering on genetically modified animals," says SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek.

SAFE is also concerned that much of this GE research to breed and produce transgenic livestock will be undertaken indoors in confinement systems. "The commercial production of transgenic livestock is likely to lead to the reduced welfare of the animals used in addition to the risks associated with breeding transgenic animals," says Hans.

"For example, AgResearch noted in one application that commercial herds of transgenic goats may be kept indoors to meet pharmaceutical regulatory requirements. This would prevent the animals from being able to express their natural behaviour, as is required under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. In addition, indoor confinement of livestock has been shown to result in poor welfare, including lameness and stereotypic behaviour," he said.

KIWI POLL REJECTS GE ANIMALS

Most New Zealanders are strongly opposed to the genetic engineering of animals in New Zealand, with farmers as ardently opposed as the rest of the community, a new survey shows.

A Colmar Brunton Omnijet survey of over 1000 people, commissioned by SAFE and the Soil & Health Association of New Zealand, found that only 27 per cent of New Zealanders, and just 28 per cent of farmers, support genetic engineering (GE) of animals. However, six out of ten farmers (61%) who stated an opinion in the survey said they do not support GE of animals, and almost a third of all farmers surveyed (28%) stated they 'don't know.'

SAFE campaign director Hans Kriek said: "The majority of New Zealanders are opposed to GE animals (55%) and almost one in five (18%) want more information about what is being planned, the risks involved, the effect on the animals and who will really benefit. New Zealanders have an inherent distain for the genetic engineering of animals. When you consider the foetal abnormalities, deformities and congenital health defects of cloned GE animals, kiwis have very valid reasons to oppose GE."

The survey shows two thirds (67%) of people who expressed an opinion are opposed. Opposition is equally strong across different ethnicities: among those with Maori descent who expressed an opinion nine out of ten (86%) are opposed.

AgResearch challenged at Fashion Week show

Prominent anti-GE organisations banded together on Friday (19 Sept) outside AgResearch's show at Fashion Week to demonstrate that New Zealand must remain GE free and not become home to 'unfashionably' mutated genetically engineered animals.

"GE Free NZ (in food and environment), SAFE and Soil and Health Association will today hold a different kind of 'fashion show' at a public vigil to protest plans by AgResearch for genetically engineered animals to be commercialised in New Zealand, indefinitely," says group spokesperson Jon Carapiet.

"We believe Crown research institute AgResearch's applications pose the single biggest threat to farm animals, New Zealand's cultural identity, and our international image," says Mr Carapiet.

If approved, AgResearch will be able to conduct broad-ranging genetic experiments and go into commercial production at sites around New Zealand. They will use cows, goats, sheep, pigs, deer, llama, horses, rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens, and cell-lines from humans and monkeys.

AgResearch say GE animals provide "a practical way of producing sufficient quantity of proteins for biomedical or agricultural use". But the groups claim AgResearch are putting Brand New Zealand at serious risk.

"We need a middle path of ethical biotechnology, not the extreme science being proposed. There are alternatives that are not cruel or cause deformities," says Mr Carapiet. "We need to have ethical uses of science that fit New Zealand's cultural values and positioning as clean, green and natural."

The groups are urging New Zealanders to make submissions before 31 October to oppose the four AgResearch applications currently before ERMA.

AgResearch Putting New Zealand at Risk!

Government research institute AgResearch has applied to develop genetically modified (GM) animals and commercialise their products. This move could pose the single biggest threat ever to farm animals and New Zealand's cultural identity.

If these applications are approved, AgResearch will be able to conduct broad-ranging genetic experiments on cows, goats, sheep, pigs, deer, llama, horses, rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens. They will even use cells taken from humans and monkeys.

Their intention is to mix genes from different species to make transgenic animals. This process creates deformed animals and presents new risks to human health, the environment and our reputation. There are other ways to manufacture pharmaceuticals and other ethical uses of biotechnology that can benefit New Zealand.

Many New Zealanders and organisations including GE Free NZ, SAFE, the Green Party, The Soil and Health Association, Greenpeace and most members of the public oppose the "GE" vision for New Zealand's future.

HELP PROTECT NEW ZEALAND. SPEAK OUT AGAINST AGRESEARCH'S APPLICATIONS..

WHY OPPOSE ANIMAL GENETIC MODIFICATION?

Genetic modification (also called genetic engineering or GE) is experimental and has raised safety and cultural issues all over the world. Most consumers do not want it. We cannot afford to compromise New Zealand's clean, green reputation, cause widespread animal suffering and put New Zealanders at needless risk for the sake of greed and wishful thinking. AgResearch's four applications to ERMA are extremely vague and leave the public at risk when things go wrong.

Increased animal suffering

Genetically modified animals are prone to increased levels of suffering. Previous experiments show GM calves, for example, are more likely to be born with serious deformities. GM cows can develop gangrenous udders and mastitis and are highly susceptible to respiratory and septic conditions.

AgResearch seeks to use recipient animals as surrogate mothers to carry GM embryos. Recipient animals are often aborted at around 60 days and the foetus cells harvested to produce new embryos.

Harm to our environment

AgResearch plans to have research or testing facilities around New Zealand, including in the Waikato, Canterbury and Southland regions. The risk of a breach in biosecurity or site contamination can never be eliminated and would jeopardise New Zealand's reputation for clean, safe, natural food. Animal waste from GM animals will be used as compost or sprayed onto fields without adequate monitoring of the environmental effects.

Unethical conduct

AgResearch will genetically engineer animals with human genes. They will deliberately create sick animals as ‘models' of human disease despite the Bioethics Council calling for an ethical review of such practices.

Risk of disease

New Zealand animals are currently free of many highly contagious diseases such as Mad Cow Disease (BSE) and Scrapie, making New Zealand an attractive testing ground for overseas biotech investors. Genetic modification of animals risks creating new diseases in animals or in people consuming milk and other products made from the animals.

InfoNews - ERMA to cancel GE animal approvals

NZPA - Officials hack into Agresearch GE application

NZ Herald - Greens call for probe into GE cattle

NZ Herald - Agresearch to narrow GE tests

NZ Herald - Watchdog's warning ends Agresearch bid to create GM beasts

Scoop - Soil and Health congratulates ERMA

TV1 one - Cows does in GM experiments

NZ Herald - Mutant cows dies in GE experiments

NZ Herald - Human genes to be injected into goats, cows and sheep

Waikato Times - AgResearch granted GE research approval

TV One - GE research using human DNA approved 

TV3 news - AgResearch granted ERMA approval for GM research

InfoNews - 'Carte Blanche' Approval for GE Animals warrants Immediate Court Action

Yahoo news - AgResearch granted Erma approval for GM research

Otago Daily Times

TV One

The Press

TV3 news

Runway Reporter

Scoop

Newstalk ZB

TV3 New

GROUPS AGAINST GE

WHAT YOU CAN DO

1) Write to Prime Minister John Key politely asking he uses his Ministerial powers to ‘call in' the applications given their national significance.

Email: John Key

2) Write a letter to your local newspaper to express your objections to genetic engineering and explain why you think these applications should not be approved by ERMA.

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GE Free New Zealand

Greenpeace

Green Party

Organic New Zealand

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