Tuesday, 11 February 2025 09:51

Fonterra urged to seek extension to GMO bill consultation

Written by  Staff Reporters
Two executives say the government decision to have submissions for the controversial Gene Technology Bill fall over the Christmas and holiday period "reeks of secrecy". Two executives say the government decision to have submissions for the controversial Gene Technology Bill fall over the Christmas and holiday period "reeks of secrecy".

With less than a week to go before submissions close on the Government’s controversial Gene Technology Bill, two agribusiness executives - John Greenberg and Michael Henne - are calling on Fonterra to demand an extension to the submission period.

In an open letter, the two executives from farm technology company Hyprecision say the government decision to have the submission period for the contentious bill fall over the Christmas and holiday period “reeks of secrecy”.

“But here we are, less than eight weeks later, staring down a 17 February deadline to submit our comments on a proposal that could turn our dairy industry upside down,” they say. “It’s a slap in the face to every farmer who makes this nation prosper.”

The Government says the bill would enable the safe use of gene technology and regulated organisms in New Zealand.

Per the submission website, the government’s intention with the bill is to establish a new regulatory framework for gene technology and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Greenberg and Henne say they aren’t arguing for or against GMOS.

“That conversation deserves careful study and broad public input,” they say. “But who has the time or resources to do that right now?”

They say that farmers have only just returned from holiday, and many are already buried in the day-to-day demands of running their businesses.

“That’s on top of meeting regulations already pumped out by Parliament. To slam us with a Bill that could rewire our entire industry on eight weeks’ notice is abjectly insulting and completely disregards the spirit of fair governance that all Kiwis value.”

The pair want Fonterra to use its influence to insist that the Government extend the submission period.

“Our cooperative wields immense influence over our nation’s economy and, we should remember, is owned by thousands of shareholders who will bear the brunt of any shifts in policy,” they say.

“The CEO of Fonterra, Miles Hurrell, must publicly demand a 90-day extension for public comment on the Bill.”

“We need to know exactly what we’re signing up for. Genetic modification might offer benefits in terms of efficiency or resilience, or it might threaten our single most important market advantage, disrupt export relationships, and cash us out to international big ag corporations.”

Henne and Greenberg say they are concerned that farmers won’t be able to develop informed opinions on the bill because of the timing of its announcement.

“The time for polite requests has passed,” they say.

“We need Fonterra, our cooperative, to stand up and demand a 90-day extension on the comment period. It’s the bare minimum required to ensure that this Bill is fully understood by those who will be most affected by it.”

“Fonterra’s leadership must publicly insist on it. And if the government refuses, let them face the backlash from thousands of dairy farmers who are tired of being sidelined and patronised.”

More like this

Fonterra R&D: Innovation needs more than just PhDs

Common sense and good human judgement are still a key requirement for the super highly qualified staff working at one of New Zealand's largest and most important research facilities - Fonterra's R&D Centre at Palmerston North.

Misguided campaign

OPINION: Last week, Greenpeace lit up Fonterra's Auckland headquarters with 'messages from the common people' - that the sector is polluting the environment.

Featured

IFSO urges flood-affected residents to document damage for insurance

Following heavy rain which caused flooding in parts of Nelson-Tasman and sewerage overflows in Marlborough, the Insurance & Financial Services Ombudsman Scheme (IFSO Scheme) is urging homeowners and tenants to be cautious when cleaning up and to take the right steps to support claims.

National

Machinery & Products

Farming smarter with technology

The National Fieldays is an annual fixture in the farming calendar: it draws in thousands of farmers, contractors, and industry…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

110,000 visitors!

OPINION: It's official, Fieldays 2025 clocked 110,000 visitors over the four days.

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter