Don't shut farmers out

Let’s be blunt: it screams unfairness, and it reeks of secrecy and it’s a slap in the face to every farmer who makes this nation prosper.

Together with sheep and beef, our sector makes up a massive 40% of our country’s exports. Yet, the Government, led by the allegedly probusiness National Party, seems determined to dismiss even the biggest voice in New Zealand agriculture, Fonterra. How exactly is that probusiness?

And why is a topic crucial to our industry and the NZ economy being funnelled through the Health Committee?

We aren’t here to argue for or against GM. Our point is that to present 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.

We might expect our biggest industry leader, Fonterra, to roar. Yet, from all reports, when Fonterra asked the Government for more time on this Bill, the request was denied; leadership simply shrugged and moved on. That’s unacceptable.

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.

Fonterra must publicly demand a 90-day extension for public comment on the Bill. If Chris Luxon refuses to accommodate, Fonterra trucks should stop rolling. It would probably take less than three hours for Luxon to yield.

This situation is so backward that it almost invites a conspiracy theory. Genetic modification might offer benefits in terms of efficiency or resilience, or it might threaten our single most important market advantage. Regardless, the fair questions at this point are, “What’s your hurry?” and “What are you hiding?” If the Gene Technology Bill is truly beneficial, then it will still be beneficial 90 days from February 17th.

This Bill, one way or another, will impact your family, your community, and your economic wellbeing. Ninety days isn’t a big ask. If Fonterra fails us, let the co-op leaders reap the whirlwind.

Fonterra needs to say, “This is not how you treat your largest export sector, nor your party’s base.” Let’s shine a light on the Gene Technology Bill and let’s decide on our own terms what’s best for our industry and New Zealand. These are the issues we need to consider:

• What will the world think when NZ products are fed with GM maize or other GM crops? Do we lose our ‘100% Pure’ clean and green market perception? Can New Zealand compete with the US factory farms once our product is no longer differentiated? And do we really want to?
• Round-up ready crops use more glyphosate. How will the increased use of glyphosate affect our waterways? Will Labour use increased glyphosate runoff to shut down more farming in NZ? Would this fuel another 3 Waters-type situation?
• How would GM seed coming to our shores affect our ability to grow and preserve the world’s GM-free seed stock? Given that we have a billion-dollar non-GM seed duplication industry, should GM seed be import only and not grown in NZ?
• How might increased use of glyphosate in NZ because of Round-up ready crops affect honey bees, whose populations have been in free-fall in the US since GE crops were introduced?

Fonterra, the spotlight’s on you.

Michael Henne and John Greenberg are executives of NZ agribusiness company, Hyprecision Ag Ltd.