News related to Importing Genetically Modified Organisms
- Measures put in place in response to field trial at Plant & Food Research Lincoln - 12 March 2009
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has evaluated non-compliance with controls at Plant & Food Research - the Lincoln-based crown research institute containment facility where genetically modified (GM) brassica plants had been growing as part of an approved field trial.
- MAFBNZ takes action regarding GM brassica trial - 10 February 2009
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has completed their review of the Plant & Food Research internal report into a reported breach of containment facility requirements at Plant & Food Research - the Lincoln-based crown research institute containment facility where genetically modified (GM) brassica plants had been growing as part of an approved field trial.
- Initial feedback on sweet corn import processes - 22 December 2006
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has received initial feedback from reviewer David Oughton on his work in reviewing the circumstances that led to the recent importation of sweet corn seed with low level presence of GM.
- MAF releases imported corn seed report - 1 February 2007
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) Director-General Murray Sherwin today released the final report by David Oughton into the circumstances associated with the imports of genetically modified corn seeds in late 2006.
- MAF investigates GM sweet corn importation - 1 December 2006
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is investigating the importation of genetically modified (GM) sweet corn that was inadvertently cleared by MAF’s Quarantine Service in October 2006.
- Sweet corn investigation update 1 - 6 December 2006
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is confident it has located all of the sweet corn that was cleared at the border in October and November 2006, but later determined to present a risk of containing genetically modified (GM) material at extremely low levels. Following further investigation, an additional 2,620kg consignment of potentially GM-contaminated corn has been identified. This now brings the total quantity of concern to 4,420kg.
- Sweet corn investigation update 2 - 11 December 2006
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s (MAF) investigations have cleared the Mid-Canterbury plantings of Krispy King sweet corn and the Hawke’s Bay region planting of the GH2042 sweet corn variety, but seed tests for the Jubilee Plus/Dominion consignments planted in the Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions have produced positive GM results and these crops will be destroyed.
- GM import standards to be reviewed - 11 December 2006
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has commissioned an independent enquiry into the circumstances surrounding recent imports of sweet corn seeds.
- MAF supervising harvesting and processing of GM maize - 4 June 2004
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today announced that, weather permitting, it expected to see the harvesting and further processing of fields of maize containing low levels of GM material completed in about 14 days time.
- Low level of GM detected in maize seed - 11 May 2004
An audit of US-based GM testing laboratory Biogenetic Services Ltd (BGS) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) identified that BGS was deficient in several audited areas, including the way it was interpreting and reporting testing results. Subsequent MAF-sponsored tests of BGS-certified seed consignments have revealed a very low level of GM in two of 15 consignments tested to date.
- MAF investigation into GM maize nears completion - 28 May 2004
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has largely completed its investigation into the planting of the maize seed containing the very low level of GM presence.
- Biosecurity New Zealand to consult on seed testing protocol - 12 June 2006
Biosecurity New Zealand, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), is consulting on a seed testing protocol for lucerne/alfalfa seed (Medicago sativa), similar to testing already in place for maize, canola and soybean seed.
- Illegal seed importer fined - 18 April 2008
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is pleased with the conviction handed down today in the Tauranga District Court to a Katikati company for the illegal importation of sowing seeds.
- Taiwanese lift suspension on New Zealand apples - 31 May 2007
New Zealand is now able to resume apple exports to Taiwan following a six week suspension.
- Offending serious risk to New Zealand's biosecurity - 12 June 2007
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) welcomes the sentence handed down today in the North Shore District Court to Auckland man for the illegal importation of aquatic plants and aquarium equipment.
- Urgent product recall - "Message in a bottle" containing toxic seeds - 11 January 2007
The Ministry of Health and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand are urgently recalling a 'Message in a Bottle' product containing highly toxic seeds.
- Urgent product recall - more bottles found to contain toxic seeds - 19 January 2007
After a recall notice was issued last week the Ministry of Health and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand have been alerted to the presence of more ‘Message in a Bottle’ novelty products in New Zealand.
- MAF grants independent review of provisional Import Health Standard for pork - 7 August 2009
The Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Murray Sherwin, has agreed to the New Zealand Pork Industry Board’s request for an independent review of the provisional Import Health Standards for Pig Meat and Pig Meat Products issued by MAF Biosecuirty New Zealand (MAFBNZ) in April 2009.
- Provisional import health standards for pig meat and pig meat products released - 7 April 2009
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) today issued provisional Import Heath Standards (IHSs) for pig meat, pig meat products and by-products from Canada, the EU, Mexico and the USA.
- Parrot eggs seized at airport - 9 November 2007
A 21-year-old South African national, Pillipus Fourie, was convicted in Manukau District Court today for attempting to illegally smuggle parrot eggs into New Zealand.
- MAF Biosecurity New Zealand holds meeting to discuss methyl bromide alternatives - 28 February 2008
Twenty eight possible alternatives to the ozone depleting gas methyl bromide came under scrutiny yesterday as over 90 government and industry representatives met in Wellington to review the alternatives to methyl bromide use at our borders.
- Disease claims in Palm Kernel extract without foundation - 26 May 2005
Claims that palm kernel extract imports are a risk for the importation of exotic diseases such as foot and mouth disease and avian influenza are completely unfounded, Biosecurity New Zealand says.