The Supreme Court will consider if a case brought by GE-Free NZ  challenging 4 applications by AgResearch to use GE animals should be heard.

ERMA -  The Environmental Risk Management Authority  -  earlier accepted four applications from AgResearch to develop, import and go into commercial production of products from GE animals, including pigs, sheep, cows, alpacas, buffalo, deer, goats, horses and donkeys.

“We are hoping that the Supreme Court will accept our case. There is enormous concern amongst the public about the planned introduction of GE animals, and this case will decide how NZ 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, having huge implications for the environment and New Zealand’s exports.”

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.