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The Royal Commission on Genetic Modification - submissionsThe New Zealand Plant Protection SocietySTRATEGIC ISSUES & OPTIONS — SECTION B(k)Submission The New Zealand Plant Protection Society (NZPPS) stated that New Zealand policy settings have meant that the rate of introduction of all types of new technologies (not only GM) supporting pest management has apparently dropped. Such a policy environment is counter-economic and will not lead to sustainable development. BENEFITS & RISKS — SECTION B(k)Submission The NZPPS anticipated that the need for pest management research in New Zealand will continue to grow as biosecurity failures continue to occur. They stated that it is hard to be proactive against unknown threat, or known threats with an unknown arrival time. Maximum flexibility is therefore desirable for dealing with future incursions. Additionally, existing control methods, such as organophosphates and methyl bromide, will become less acceptable increasing the need for alternatives. An increasing rate of incursions combined with decreasing control methods is increasing the challenges for sustainable development. GM technology may offer a valuable tool for the eradication of unwanted organisms.
Any risks must be soundly assessed and their use in pest management supported by a sound ecological underpinning. GMOs may sometimes offer solutions to otherwise intractable problems and may have less environmental impact than alternatives. GM research must therefore concentrate on the top priority and most intractable problems. The use of GMOs may not, however, be warranted when alternative, more effective, or less expensive sustainable technologies are available. Vigorous and informed debate is therefore needed in the relative merits of different control tactics. |