Genetically Modified Organisms / Genetic Engineering
Genectically Modified Organisms Survey 2009
In relation to economic development, Council works to contribute to a strong growing and sustainable District economy that makes a tangible and positive difference to the people of the Far North across the District, with a particular focus on attracting investment in the District. Click to download the full Far North District Council Report November 2009.
The use and release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is an issue of significant concern to certain sectors of the community within the Far North District. The issue is a complex one and one where Central Government takes the lead, mainly through the Ministry for the Environment (MfE), the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF).
Council has received submissions to both its Proposed District Plan and to its Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP) regarding the use of GMOs within the District.
FNDC is also involved in a Joint Inter-Council Working Group with other Councils north of Auckland. To date this joint initiative has commissioned several reports from experts to investigate the legal and planning implications for territorial authorities in relation to control and use of GMOs.
Council has made significant financial commitment to investigate the issue to ensure that the best approach for the District is arrived at.
The Community Management of GMOs II - Risk and Response Options
Whangarei District Council (WDC) and the District Councils of the Far North, Kaipara, Rodney and Waitakere (the Northland Peninsula Councils) wish to better understand the nature of potential risks arising from the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their options for responding to these under the RMA if such activities are carried out in their districts.
On our behalf, Whangarei District Council asked Mitchell Partnerships and Simon Terry Associates Ltd to prepare a report investigating the risks and response options. The overall objective set for this project is to provide a report that advances research to the point that a favoured response option can be selected in principle.
This report’s investigation of the risks and response options builds on the structure established in the earlier scoping report prepared to address these matters and while key descriptions are carried over, additional background information is to be found in that document. In this further stage of reporting, the scope of consideration is similarly limited to the outdoor use of living GMOs and in particular field trials and releases.
Click to download the full report: The Community Management of GMOs II - Risk and Response Options (492kb PDF)
Opinion on land use controls and GMOs by Dr R J Somerville QC
Dr R J Somerville QC was asked for his opinion on two points subsequent to the production of the Community Management of GMOs II - Risk and Response Options.
1. Provide advice on an as required basis with respect to the options for framing a rule change under the Resource Management Act including comment on the merits of different generic options, such advice to be shared directly with other consultants assisting the Council on this matter.
2. Provide a review of a suggested plan change to assess it against the requirements of section 32 of the Resource Management Act, its expected robustness to legal challenge and any potential variations to the proposed rule that could improve it.
Click to download the full opinion: Opinion on land use controls and GMOs by Dr R J Somerville QC (123kb PDF)
For more information
You can view and download a media release and more information from the Whangarei District Council website
For more information relating to GMO in the Far North District and the District Plan, please contact the Environmental Policy Manager on 0800 920 029 or 09 405 2750.
For more information on GMO's and the Long Term Council Community Plan please contact the Strategic Planning and Performance Manager on 0800 920 029 or 09 405 2750.
Page created/updated: 24 December 2009 at 11:18 am
