Operation Sand - Fact Sheet
MAF was informed of a GM-positive test in maize grown in the upper North Island on the afternoon of Monday 25 July.
This investigation (Operation Sand) relates to 13,500 tonnes of maize grown in the upper North Island. 1000 tonnes of that is of particular interest.
The 13,500 tonnes has effectively been quarantined by MAF, due to the mixing of seed lines as the grain is dried and stored, and multiple growers.
The investigation is business as usual. This sort of investigation is MAF "core- business". Standard procedures for events of this type were immediately put in place. These included:
- Securing the grain in isolation
- Commencing tracing of the grain to determine the scope of the problem
- Seeking independent tests to further our knowledge of the nature of the positive test
- Getting the results of the initial GM-positive test to further our knowledge of the testing done.*
*MAF has received the results of the initial GM-positive test. The results are basic and useful only in the context of reiterating the need for further independent testing. This test is unable to give an indication of what GM construct may be present
GM constructs, food and labelling
GM material in food products for sale in New Zealand must be assessed and approved for use via Standard 1.5.2 of the Food Standards Code.
There are over 20 approved GM foods. Less than half are varieties of corn.
Food that contains GM DNA or protein, or has altered characteristics must be labelled as ‘genetically modified’. Exemptions to the labelling requirements include:
- GM food which contains no GM DNA or new protein and has no other altered characteristics
- flavours present in the food in a concentration no more than 0.1%
- a genetically modified food is unintentionally present in a quantity of no more than 1%.
Unpackaged GM food must be displayed with GM information unless it intended for immediate consumption such as in restaurants or catering.
GE free claims are subject to the Fair Trading Act 1986, which is enforced by the Commerce Commission under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The Fair Trading Act prohibits the making of false or misleading representation in trade, and under the Act the term "GM free" has been interpreted as being absolute - the product cannot in anyway result from a GM process or contain any GM material.
Previous events
This is the fifth similar incident since 2000. These incidents were detections of very low levels of GM. A sixth incident was an import of seed found at the border to be contaminated. It was returned to sender.
Feild Events
| Date | Scenario |
|---|---|
| July 2005 | QA screening test initiated by an end user gave positive result which indicated the presence of a GM. MAF has commissioned tests through an internationally accredited laboratory (one of three) to determine the level of presence and the construct(s) involved. |
| Mar 2004 | BGS "Operation Cracked Kernel" Audit of the BGS laboratory (in the USA) results and certificates issues for seed for sowing imported the previous season indicated some significant issues with the way results were reported. Re-testing of some imported seed found it to be positive for an approved construct. The grain produced over the 2003-04 growing season was harvested, dried, stored and devitalised under supervision. |
| July 2003 | Sunrise Coast "Operation Sunshine" A GM presence was discovered in sweet corn product exported to Japan from New Zealand. The presence was detected during a routine test undertaken as part of an industry-based QA programme. Sunrise Coast notified MAF. MAF felt likely to be from corn starch. |
| Aug 2002 | Pacific Seeds "Operation Pacific" Pacific Seeds informed MAF that their quality assurance tests had shown the presence of genetically modified (GM) maize seeds in crops harvested in Gisborne and Pukekohe earlier in the year. |
| Aug 2001 | "Corngate" Product harvested and tested positive as part of normal QC programme. |
Border Event
Facts:
| Date | Scenario |
|---|---|
| Sep-2004 | Eurofins Eurofins laboratory audit identified some issues with the way in which results were reported - reporting rectified. Re-testing done for seed for sowing where needed. |
In the latest investigation, the testing which yielded the GM-positive result was commissioned by a prospective manufacturer as part of its quality assurance processes. The test was done by a laboratory familiar with GM technology, but was not one of those accredited to certify seed for sowing as GM-free to the standard required by MAF for import.
The lab to which more samples will be sent has been made aware of the need for a rapid turn-around. It is anticipated that the samples will be sent from New Zealand on Friday 29 July and during the following week.
There are three facilities approved for testing imports of seed for sowing for the presence of GM seed. These are:
- Eurofins Scientific, (www.eurofins.com
) Nantes, France (formerly AgroGene SA) - Agriquality GMO Services, (www.agriquality.co.nz ) Melbourne, Australia (formerly GeneScan Australia Pty Ltd.)
- GeneScan USA, Inc., (www.gmotesting.com ) New Orleans, United States of America.
About Maize
By our best estimates, somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 hectares of maize is grown in a normal year in New Zealand. About one-third is for grain and two-thirds for silage.
The New Zealand grain production has been:
2002 - 150,000 tonnes
2003 - 165,000 tonnes
2004 - 175,000 tonnes
The projected 2005 harvest is 155,000 tonnes.
New Zealand imports about 100,000-150,000 kg of maize seed each year for sowing.
Maize for sowing can only be imported from 14 countries. Seeds imported for processing into food or animal feed must be completely milled or treated so that those seeds are not viable.
Growing and using Maize
Maize is used in a wide variety of foodstuffs, from breakfast cereals, popcorn, starch products, and baked goods. It is also an important stock-feed, either as silage, or in grain form or processed animal feeds.
Farming practice is such that farmers do not retain a quantity of last year’s crop to grow next season. Standard practice is to purchase hybrid seed from a seed merchant each season.
Maize does not grow "wild". Maize requires warm soil temperatures to grow, and would rot or be eaten by vermin in the non-growing months.
Processing techniques for maize into human food are such that the viability of the maize kernels is destroyed. The hybrids used for food are generally different than for animal feed and for silage but there are some crossovers.
Maize pollen does not spread as easily as that of other grains due to weight. Maize pollen has a short viability in the environment.
GM and the Law
No GM seeds have been approved for release into the New Zealand environment. The law does not permit unauthorised GM grains or seeds to be knowingly imported or planted. If GM seeds are detected prior to import, the consignment will not be allowed into New Zealand.
There are strict penalties under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act (1996) for introducing new organisms (including GM organisms) into New Zealand without approval. What are the risks versus benefits of GM seeds?
Imported seeds are important for many New Zealand agricultural industries - the price and quality of seeds affects the competitiveness of these industries. For example, maize is grown for food and is also an important stock feed in the dairy, pig and poultry industries. Many of the best quality seeds come from countries that grow GM crops, which are the world's major grain producers. Banning seeds from those countries would limit access to those seeds and would probably raise the price of seeds, which would negatively affect those industries that rely on imported seeds.
Banning seeds would have serious negative effects in several agricultural industries, including dairying, but could still not provide a 100% guarantee to stop all GM seeds.
What are the risks versus benefits of GM seeds?
Imported seeds are important for many New Zealand agricultural industries - the price and quality of seeds affects the competitiveness of these industries. For example, maize is grown for food and is also an important stock feed in the dairy, pig and poultry industries. Many of the best quality seeds come from countries that grow GM crops, which are the world's major grain producers.
Banning seeds from those countries would limit access to those seeds and would probably raise the price of seeds, which would negatively affect those industries that rely on imported seeds. Banning seeds would have serious negative effects in several agricultural industries, including dairying, but could still not provide a 100% guarantee to stop all GM seeds.
Page last updated: 30 April 2008