ERMA has finally released its decision to allow Crown Research Institute Scion to plant thousands of genetically engineered Pine Trees in Rotorua.

The application was approved for 25 years of genetic research over four hectares near the city, designed to test genetic traits influencing growth and development.

Scion Spokesperson Elspeth McRae says they’re delighted to finally have clarity around the project, and can now get down to their core business.

“So basically it’s allowing us to continue experiments, growing trees that are larger and with ability for us to be able to test for the traits.

"We have a whole lot of genes that we’ve been researching in the laboratory and we predict that some of these will change wood characteristics or growth characteristics.”

The approval was conditional on several strict boundaries, including protections from contamination into the surrounding native forests.

ERMA Science Manager Geoff Ridley says with these restrictions in place, the possible benefits of the research far outweigh any risks.

“We reviewed the risks and the benefits of them doing this piece of work and came to the conclusion that the benefits outweigh the risks and that this piece of work could be done safely.”

Submissions were heard at a hearing last month from several opposition groups, including organic lobby group Soil and Health NZ.

Soil and Health spokesperson Steffan Browning says despite his organisation highlighting the strong threat of contamination, ERMA’s decision was never really in doubt.

“It is bad news but it’s totally expected news.

"At the hearing there was no question of it, in my view, from at least two of the commissioners.

"It was just a matter of looking at if there was any tweaks to the controls and exactly how it panned out.”

Extensive fencing around the trial site has already been erected, with a start date sometime early next year widely expected.

Ge here to see ERMA's statement on Scion.