Problem:

New Zealand’s current regulatory regime is ill-equipped to deal with advances in Genetic modification. The system prevents New Zealand industries from employing GMO’s outside of Lab innovation. This means are not able to take advantage of developments of GMO crops that are more sustainable, nutritious have higher yields and contain bio-pesticides.

Solution:

New Zealand should adopt a system that encourages innovation and production of genetically modified products so that we are able to better capture the benefits of such technology

Proposal: Pre-market approval system

America has been very successful at encouraging innovation around GMO’s. The American system relies on a pre-market approved industrial GMO crop system. American agencies responsible for crop regulation monitor crops and plants for risks or irregularities. These agencies can then ban crops that break rules or pose a threat to the ecosystem.