15/05/2026 Amendments to HSNO Act Raises Suspicion and Risks for GE Deregulation
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15/05/2026 Amendments to HSNO Act Raises Suspicion and Risks for GE Deregulation |
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Most parties supported the HSNO amendments to go to select committee except Te Parti Māori, Green Party and the two independent members. But even MPs who spoke in support of the bill said they were sceptical that there were hidden hooks in the 300 pages of amendments. Steve Abel of the Green Party, who had taken time to read the Bill was the only MP to call out the creeping, weakening of regulation and unbridled powers given to the Authority to exempt new genetically modified organisms (GMO) from controls. He reminded MPs of the history of the EPA and its attempt to redefine and exempt new Genet edited organisms as not GMOs, that resulted in a successful legal challenge in the High Court. The absence of any new ethical controls is also concerning because years of cruel GE animal experiments have been allowed to occur under the current HSNO Act. There is no liability on users of GE new organisms that would protect growers and ratepayers across the regional GE-free zones which the government intends to abolish. "The scepticism voiced by some MPs at the first reading is justified, “said Claire Bleakley, GE-Free NZ president. The Bill sets up pathways for release of GMOs without proper consideration of significant risks to the environment, economy, and loss of GE Free farming. Whole segments on how the regulator/EPA is to assess releases of vagrant organisms appears to have been given a fast track for release. Changes to 'definitions' makes it difficult to know what will and won't be regulated under different amendments. "There is a whole section that has been removed on the GE organisms guidelines the regulator needs to assess," said Claire Bleakley. The Bill also allows consideration and approval of GMOs released in the US, Canada and Australia to be rubber stamped in New Zealand by fast tracking conditional release and full release approvals. New Zealand's GE Free export premiums and point of difference that consumers seek would be lost. The HSNO Act amendment Bill is a complex web of changes that threatens to do what the stalled Gene Technology Bill also threatens to do which is deregulation of GE organisms that will destroy our GE-free status. This Bill cannot be allowed to stand and the Ministries involved have seriously let down the Country by weakening the environmental protections that have made us a high quality, GE free nation. References [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wavwPzEYW4 (minute 1:03:27) ENDS: Claire Bleakley - president - 027 348 6731 Jon Carapiet – spokesperson - 0210507681 |
The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (HSNO) amendment Bill had its first reading in Parliament on the 14 May 2026. It was passed with a majority of votes and is to be sent to the Primary Industries select committee where submissions will be heard. It will be reported back to the House in September. [1]