Environmental watchdog GE Free Northland’s campaign to stop trials of genetically modified organisms in the region has received a boost. Group spokeswoman Zelka Grammer says a letter from Environment Minister Nick Smith reveals the government does support regional and local authorities controlling the use of GMOs in their areas.

An environmental watchdog is calling for public submissions on a plan to field test genetically-engineered pine trees “in containment” at Rotorua. [...] State science company Scion wants to test genes influencing plant growth, reproductive development, herbicide tolerance, biomass utilisation, wood density and stability, in 4000 trees on a four hectare site. The field test will last for 25 years, though each tree will be grown only for a maximum of eight years.

A probe into the escape of genetically engineered plants from a government laboratory found scientists had left routes open.

Scientists also washed out their high-security specialist containment laboratory with water that was flushed straight into the storm water system. Details of a criminal investigation into a GE breach at a Plant and Food Research glasshouse laboratory are exposed in papers released under the Official Information Act.

The university’s in-house biological safety committee has approved the development of genetically engineered forms of the bacteria for research into how they kill insects, the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) said today. The unusual insecticidal bacteria - known scientifically as Yersinia entomophaga - was discovered in a dead grass grub 14 years ago, and has since been shown to be able to kill butterflies and beetles two or three days after they have been infected.

State science company Scion Research is putting together an application for genetic engineering of forestry trees which it hopes will lead to traits such as faster-growing trees. The project - to involve as many as 4000 trees -- is expected to go to new organisms regulator the Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) in the next few months.

Research has been unveiled that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from farms while boosting production at the same time. AgResearch says it is trying to make one of sheep and cattle’s favourite foods, white clover, environmentally safer. [...] AgResearch says however that it will take at least another 15 years to commercially release the new clover.

The Government is being accused of ”deliberate foot-dragging” for taking more than six months to investigate two genetically engineered (GE) plants found growing near Christchurch. Green groups say millions of dollars of exports and New Zealand’s prized ”100% Pure” could be threatened after any major GE breaches if it takes the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-Biosecurity New Zealand six months to scrutinise just two weeds.

GE Free New Zealand today asked the Supreme Court to let it make another legal attack on the process regulators are using to consider an AgResearch bid to create genetically-engineered livestock. The lobby won a significant decision in the High Court at Wellington, to have four ”unreasonably broad” AgResearch applications to regulators set aside, but had that overturned on appeal.

The ARC has reaffirmed its dissatisfaction with the management of genetically modified organisms in New Zealand, and has resolved to continue to seek better outcomes for local communities. Continuing its association with the Inter-council Working Party on GMO Risk Evaluation and Management Options, the council will be joining other members in writing to the Minister for the Environment highlighting their concerns.

State science company AgResearch [...] wanted to experiment on human and monkey cell lines and smaller species of GE laboratory animals, such as cats, dogs, pigs, guinea pigs, mice, rats, rabbits, and chickens, to develop GE cows, buffalo, sheep, pigs, goats, llamas, alpacas, deer and horses. But today’s Erma staff evaluation and review report - for a hearing to be held by Erma in June - recommended those applications be declined.