National says it will overturn an effective ban on genetic modification and gene editing, once a highly divisive political issue, if the party is elected to government.
Party leader Christopher Luxon made the announcement this morning on Q+A with Jack Tame ahead of Fieldays, one of the largest annual agri-events in the country.
The leader said he would overhaul the country's strict laws governing biotechnology, which have been in place since 2003, and introduce a new regulator for GM and GE.
The party leader told Q+A that New Zealand's laws were stuck in a "time warp" as compared to other countries in the OECD, including Australia.
"All of our scientific community is very pro- it and are saying everything has moved on.
"It's no different from the phone you have in 2023. It's probably very different to the phone you had in 1996. There's a lot of exciting innovation that has happened," he said.
Genetic modification was once such a highly charged issue it prompted thousands to protest against the practice in the early-2000s. Twenty years later, many advocates and researchers continue to call for more permissive rules in the sector.
Luxon said the party's policy was being "quite conservative" about the permissiveness of its reforms. He suggested risks would be "incredibly well managed" by the new regulator.
National's technology and science spokesperson Judith Collins said loosening the laws is hoped to unlock enormous benefits for "climate change, agricultural production and exports and health science.
The party specifically pointed to the ability of genetically-modified grasses to help "significantly reduce" New Zealand's agricultural emissions.
"Our restrictive, outdated rules currently mean no GE crops can be grown in New Zealand. GE crops can also be used to resist pests, without the use of pesticides, keeping waterways clean," she said.
“New Zealand can be a world leader in reducing agricultural emissions and benefit from other innovations in health, nutrition and the environment with gene technology rules that are fit-for-purpose.
“Gene technology is being used around the world to treat cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and blood disorders. It is also being used to help combat climate change and protect the natural environment.
Researchers and advocates have called for the country's laws to become more permissive in response to the developments in biotechnology.
Collins continued: “It has been used in New Zealand laboratories since the 1970s, but our restrictive rules put in place in 2003, make research outside the lab all but impossible. This means our scientists must head overseas to conduct further research.
National's plans include ending the "effective ban" on gene editing and genetic modification and creating a dedicated biotechnology regulator.
"Like Australia, National will introduce a biotechnology regulator to make evidence-based decisions following public feedback," Collins said.
"In New Zealand, human embryonic GE or GM would not be authorised. The regulator’s role will be to protect human health and the natural environment and manage ethical concerns while allowing New Zealanders to access the benefits of advanced biotechnology."
Approvals for trials and use of non-GE/GM technology would also be brought in line with other OECD countries, Collins said.
“New Zealand is at risk of being left behind with Australia and most of the European Union having safely embraced gene technology. A National government will enable New Zealand to responsibly open access to the benefits of gene technology."
The party added that the "huge advances in gene technology" would help "reduce the cost of living, lift incomes, and afford the public services New Zealanders deserve."
Q+A with Jack Tame is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air
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