NZ First says overhaul of GMO laws unlikely before election

New Zealand First says a major overhaul of the country’s genetic modification laws is unlikely to pass before the election and will become an issue for the campaign trail.

The Gene Technology Bill seeks to end an effective 30-year ban on the use of technologies like gene editing outside the laboratory.

It’s part of the National party’s coalition agreements with both ACT and New Zealand First, and was intended to have passed by the end of 2025, but cross-party disagreements were slowing the reform.

Last year, 15,000 people made public submissions on the bill, with most opposing it.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters had previously indicated his party would not back it without the addition of extra safeguards.

He told a public meeting in Cambridge on Sunday it was still not satisfied with the protections, and would not support it as it stands.

“It is becoming clear to us that this legislation will not be put forward this term and it will become an election issue,” he said.

“New Zealand First is against the liberalisation of genetic engineering when there are no adequate safeguards put in place to protect our people and our environment.”

Peters said the country’s export and economic reputation was built on its GE-free label, and New Zealand First would not sacrifice that for other party’s political agendas.

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