Gene technologies
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The Government is reviewing New Zealand’s gene technology rules. DairyNZ is working to understand the potential opportunities and risks these technologies might present for the dairy sector in the future. There are also important social, cultural, and economic considerations.
What is DairyNZ doing?
Our current view is that it is time to revisit the regulations governing gene technologies in New Zealand. Science has advanced rapidly in recent years. As farmers and growers look for solutions to sector-wide issues, we should explore all promising avenues that could help with the challenges we face. However, we need to tread carefully and ensure a regulated approach to genetic technologies that considers the wide range of views, opportunities, and risks.
As well as engaging with you, we are also talking to dairy companies, industry organisations, other research organisations, and other key stakeholders.
We will continue to update this page as more details are available from the Government, including sharing ways that you can engage both with us and with the Government as the public submission process gets underway.
Gene technology changes - we want to hear from you
New Zealand’s gene technology laws are getting a major overhaul. Greater access to gene technologies presents both opportunities and risks for the dairy sector. We are keen to hear your views.
Podcast: Gene tech and dairy farming - what's next for NZ farmers
Gene tech FAQs
Why are New Zealand’s gene technology laws changing?
The Government is revising the legislation to enable greater use of gene technologies than is currently possible, while still protecting human health and the environment. The changes are intended to support scientists to make advancements in healthcare and climate change, protect our environment, improve productivity, and boost exports. New Zealand’s existing legislation is more than 25 years old and adopts a very conservative and precautionary approach. This made sense at the time as the technology was only just emerging but is now limiting our ability to explore all options for addressing the challenges facing New Zealand.
References:
- Gene technology regulation | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
- New Zealand to benefit from end to gene tech ban | Beehive.govt.nz
What will the new system for gene technologies look like?
The Government has confirmed that it is basing the new legislation on Australia’s Gene Technology Act 2000, adapted to work here in New Zealand. This will take a ‘hybrid approach’ to regulation, with applications assessed under a risk framework. This could mean that some specific, low-risk and well-understood technologies (e.g. where the resulting changes to the organism are indistinguishable from conventional breeding) may be exempted from regulations. Higher risk technologies would be regulated.
Like Australia, New Zealand would have a single regulator supported by an office (possibly a business unit within the existing EPA) and expert committees.
References:
- Gene technology regulation | Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)
- New Zealand to benefit from end to gene tech ban | Beehive.govt.nz
- Australia's gene technology regulatory system | Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (ogtr.gov.au)
Are gene technologies already used in New Zealand?
Yes. Some processed foods contain approved GM ingredients that have been imported, e.g. some soy-based products. Some medicines used here are manufactured by a process that uses a GMO. In most of these cases, a bacterium or yeast will be modified to enable it to produce a naturally occurring human protein. The resulting medicine (i.e. the protein) will not typically contain any DNA (modified or otherwise) and the protein will be chemically very similar or identical to that normally produced in humans.
Note that no GM crops are grown commercially in New Zealand and no GM fresh fruit, vegetables or meat is sold here (although GM bananas have been approved by FSANZ for sale).
References:
- Current status of genetically modified foods applications | Food Standards Australia New Zealand
- Genetically modified seeds and nursery stock | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)
- Genetically modified medicines and food | Ministry for the Environment
- GMO blood cancer therapy gains EPA approval | EPA
If my neighbour uses a gene technology on their farm, will my farm be affected?
DairyNZ will be seeking to ensure that the new legislation enables farmers to have choice when it comes to how they farm. This means that farmers that use gene technologies and farmers that don’t, can co-exist beside each other, with those technologies managed in a way that does not affect others. Managing the flow of genes from perennial plants that cross-pollinate (pollen from one plant fertilizes another) is challenging, but not impossible. There are parallels in New Zealand already with organic and non-organic farming and with high grade seed production, where minimum distances must be kept between crops.
References:
- Genetic modification – benefits and risks for New Zealand grassland production systems | Journal of New Zealand Grasslands (nzgajournal.org.nz)
Will there be issues with Intellectual Property (IP) from using gene technologies?
Plant breeding improves the performance of plant varieties, providing farmers with increased yields, nutritional value and persistence from their pastures. Breeding new varieties involves considerable investment of time and money. Plant Variety Rights provide incentives for plant breeders to develop new varieties, by providing them with an opportunity to get a return on this investment through the granting of exclusive rights for a certain period.
The Plant Variety Rights (PVR) Act 2022 already provides a framework for IP protection of pasture species in New Zealand and includes provisions for indigenous plant species and non-indigenous plant species of significance. IP protection and the PVR Act encourage investment and effort into plant breeding in New Zealand and provide farmers with certainty that the variety (cultivar) they’re buying is of value. The PVR Act prevents the production and sale of seed of protected varieties.
Most of the New Breeding Technique (NBTs; genetic modification processes) currently used are managed through IP protection. The new pasture varieties developed using these technologies will be covered by the PVR Act.
References:
- Plant Variety Rights | Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (iponz.govt.nz)
- Information sheet: What are Plant Variety Rights? (mbie.govt.nz)
- Impacts of growing and utilising genetically modified crops and forages – a New Zealand perspective (tandfonline.com)
Can gene technologies be used for pest control?
Yes, although it has not yet been used as a conservation tool in New Zealand. Scientists are exploring the possibility of using gene-editing tools to control invasive organisms, including sterile insects and gene drives.
In normal sexual reproduction, 50:50 chance governs which gene is inherited. Gene editing can be used to create a ‘gene drive’ to spread a gene rapidly through generations. For pest control purposes, this would target a gene essential for the viability or fertility of the pest organism and thereby reduce the population over time.
References:
- Gene editing for pest control - Predator Free NZ Trust
- Royal Society of NZ ‘Gene Editing: Scenarios in Pest Control’
How is using gene technologies different to traditional plant breeding?
Genetic modification has been happening with plants for almost all human existence – this is the basis of traditional plant breeding. Examples include:
- Hybridization is used to develop species like triticale (wheat x rye) or hybrid ryegrass (perennial x Italian ryegrass).
- A compound called colchicine can be applied to diploid plants to create a tetraploid equivalent.
- Herbicide tolerant brassica varieties have been developed using mutagenesis and have been sold in New Zealand for several years.
The goal of both traditional plant breeding and using gene technologies in plants is to deliver genetic improvement. The processes used in conventional plant breeding are uncontrolled and unregulated. Modification of genes using gene technologies will be covered under the new legislation.
References:
Will allowing the use of gene technologies in New Zealand damage our market access?
Quantifiable evidence of the economic benefit to New Zealand from a GM-free status is challenging to find. Previous studies have concluded that it is unlikely that the introduction of GM plants into New Zealand would have any long-term impact on market perceptions of our products and any premium gained from food products remaining GM-free is also unlikely. Food-producing companies are working hard to understand potential implications on market access, including what consumers want.
References:
What do our consumers think about gene technologies in food production?
Consumer attitudes are shaped by their views on risks and benefits, their knowledge and trust levels, and their personal values. A recent review of consumer attitudes towards GM crops and forages in New Zealand found that, although some consumers will always oppose GM in food production, evidence suggests that using GM plants for food production in New Zealand will not cause long-term harm in overseas markets.
References:
Will the cost of gene technologies be detrimental?
At this point in time, we do not know what the cost of regulatory approvals in the new system will be and how this might impact the cost of new pasture varieties developed with gene technologies. GM crops have been shown to reduce loss in yield, and reduce inputs required, both of which are costly to farmers.
There is evidence in other countries, such as Australia, of an economic loss to farmers through not having access to gene technologies. Australia approved the use of GM canola in 2003, but New South Wales and Victoria delayed adoption until 2008, and Western Australia until 2010. The net economic loss to canola farmers from this delay was estimated to be AU$485.6 million.
References:
Understanding gene technologies
Gene technologies provide ways to change genes and the genome. Genes can be modified to:
- Produce or remove specific traits or functions
- Speed up or slow down natural processes
For thousands of years, humans have been manipulating genomes through traditional methods, such as selective breeding. That is, choosing organisms with a desired trait and producing offspring with those desired traits. But these traditional methods can take a long time and it can be difficult to make very specific changes.
The first genetic modification ‘techniques’ were developed in the 1970’s, which allowed scientists to introduce specific traits within an organism and therefore make changes to it more quickly, precisely, and in novel ways.
These techniques have continued to evolve and become more precise over time. They are often referred to as 'new breeding techniques' which allow targeted changes to genes or introduction of genes within the genome. They are used in a wide variety of applications internationally, including in healthcare, pest control and farming.
Government reform
Current legislation
New Zealand’s gene technology laws were set over 25 years ago. They take a conservative and precautionary approach, which made sense at the time as the technology was emerging.
The current settings do not ban the development and use of gene technologies. New Zealand scientists can experiment with them in laboratories and in contained field trials. However, the criteria are very strict, and New Zealand has only approved 13 applications for GM plants for contained outdoor field trials since 1996, with no contained field trials applied for since 2010.
Rules regarding importing genetically modified food into New Zealand are similarly strict. Other than genetically modified bananas, recently approved for sale here and in Australia, no genetically modified fresh vegetables, fruit, or meat can be sold. However, some ingredients from genetically modified crops grown overseas have been approved for sale here, for example, soy, wheat, potatoes, corn, and rice.
Future legislation
Several of New Zealand’s major trading partners have recently reviewed and updated their gene technology regulations or have proposed amendments. This includes the UK, Australia, India, the EU, Canada and the US. None of these countries permit open development or release of new organisms without oversight but all use diverse regulatory models that seek to manage risk based on factors such as the nature of genetic alterations and the traits they express.
The Government has announced that it will introduce a bill to parliament by the end of 2024 to modernise New Zealand's gene technology laws. This includes establishing a new regulatory agency to enable the science, while still ensuring strong protections for human health and the environment. Public feedback will be sought as part of the select committee process in late 2024 or early 2025. The Governmnent aims to have the legislation passed and the new regulator in place by the end of 2025.
Dairy sector considerations
Greater access to gene technologies presents both opportunities and risks for the dairy sector. There are also important social, cultural, and economic considerations.
Potential opportunities for the dairy sector:
- Beneficial plant traits, e.g. drought tolerance, pest/disease resistance, improved nutritional value, reduced greenhouse gas emissions etc.
- Beneficial animal traits, e.g. disease resistance, heat tolerance, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced bloat and ryegrass staggers, polledness (no horns) etc.
Potential risks for the dairy sector:
- Market, customer, and consumer concerns with a change in New Zealand’s position on use of genetic technologies.
- Finding appropriate solutions for the coexistence of genetic technologies alongside conventional and organic farming systems, e.g. traceability concerns, pollen and seed dispersal etc.
- Upholding cultural values of whakapapa, mauri, mana and kaitiakitanga.
- Protecting against/managing for unintended consequences, e.g. increased weediness, negative impacts on soil biology or animal health/longevity, impacts on non-target species.
It is important to remember that many gene technologies have a long pathway to market. Even if New Zealand’s regulations were relaxed tomorrow, it could still be 5-10 years before technologies are available on the market here. Some may be accessed faster, depending on their commercial availability overseas, but even these are still some years away.
Potential technologies
Having a good understanding of the different potential technologies and how they might be used on New Zealand dairy farms is important for ensuring that the risks and opportunities associated with each are not over- or under-stated.
| Technology application | Current situation | Future of NZ dairy sector |
| Gene edited endophytes of grasses | ||
| NZ scientists are researching how naturally occurring endophytes in ryegrass can be gene edited to generate further gains on top of progress already made via conventional selection, e.g. to reduce heat stress and ryegrass staggers, and potentially improve ryegrass persistence. | The technology was developed in NZ but is not currently tested here in field conditions. Agronomy trials are underway in Australia. | Being able to test in NZ conditions, with relevant insect pests and climatic pressures, would greatly speed up the development of this technology and a better understanding of its benefits and risks and how they can be managed. Note that as the endophyte is contained within the plant and seed and isn’t in the pollen, the risk of spread outside of containment is low. |
| High-condensed tannin (Hi-CT) white clover | ||
| Condensed tannins occur naturally in the flowers of white clover. NZ scientists have genetically modified white clover with a gene taken from another species of clover to enable expression of condensed tannins in the leaves of white clover. This could reduce GHG emissions and N leaching. Reduced bloat and internal parasite burden and enhanced milk yield and increased liveweight gain are other potential outcomes. | The technology was developed in NZ but is not currently tested here in field conditions. This is taking place in Australia and the US. Animal trials to test for methane reduction will also be underway soon in Australia. Early-stage seed multiplication is also underway in Australia, enabling this technology to be brought to market faster if NZ legislation changes. | Being able to test in NZ conditions, with lactating cows, would greatly speed up the development of this technology and a better understanding of its benefits and risks and how they can be managed. |
| Polled animals | ||
| Polled animals are those that are born without horns from a breed that traditionally has horns. Gene editing could mean other key traits such as Breeding Worth and milk production do not have to be sacrificed and could speed up the process of breeding for polled cattle. | Exploratory work utilising gene editing has taken place overseas, but there is no work underway or planned in NZ at this stage. | This would have positive welfare outcomes for the animal as well as potentially reduced cost for farmers. |
| Heat tolerant animals | ||
| NZ scientists have used gene editing to test the introduction of the tropical genetic variant for heat tolerance in calves. Work has also taken place to breed and study calves gene-edited to have lighter coloured coats, which absorb less solar radiation. | This is an Endeavour-funded programme due to conclude in mid-2025. | Increasing global temperatures pose significant challenges for animal welfare and negatively impacts their productivity. Heat stress already affects NZ dairy cows and is particularly relevant for animals with black hair. |
| High Metabolisable Energy (HME) ryegrass | ||
| HME ryegrass has been genetically modified to increase lipid content in the leaf. This adds to the nutrition and energy available to livestock eating the grass and may also reduce N loss and methane and nitrous oxide emissions. | The technology was developed in NZ but cannot currently be tested in field conditions. This has taken place in the US and may start in Australia. DairyNZ is a co-investor in this technology. | Being able to test in NZ conditions, with lactating cows, would greatly speed up the development of this technology and a better understanding of its benefits and risks and how they can be managed. |
| Gene editing in the rumen microbiome | ||
| Frontier research is underway in the US to explore the potential to engineer rumen microbes to produce less methane. | NZ scientists are not involved in this research, but it has potential application for our farming systems. | If successful, this research could result in treatments for calves that could alter their methane production permanently. |
| Genetically modified maize | ||
| GM maize is sold internationally in countries where GM forages are permitted. Genes from different bacteria are inserted into maize to provide pest resistance and drought tolerance. | All maize varieties sold in NZ are GM-free. | Access to commercially available GM maize varieties in NZ would support adaptation of feed systems that are under increasing pressure from climate change. |
Terms and definitions
Below are some common terms and definitions for understanding genetic technologies:
- Gene: Sequences of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acids) that organisms use to create proteins, ‘the building blocks of life’. DNA and genes pass from generation to generation and are found in the cells of living things, like animals, plants and microorganisms.
- Genome: The complete set of genes or genetic material present in a cell or organism.
- Genomics: The study and mapping of genes within the genome and their connection to traits of an organism.
- Trait: A characteristic or attribute of an organism.
- Genetic modification: The process of taking DNA from the genome of one organism and inserting it in the genome of another organism. Also referred to as genetic engineering.
- Genetically modified organism (GMO): A plant, animal or other organism that has been modified using gene technology or that has inherited modified traits from a parent GMO.
- Gene editing: This involves a change to the DNA of an organism by inserting, deleting, or replacing a section of genetic material at a particular location in the genome, which can change the characteristics of an organism. CRISPR-Cas9 is a commonly mentioned precision gene editing technique.
- Transgenesis: Inserting a gene from a different species.
- Cisgenesis: Transferring a gene from the same or closely related species.
- Intragenesis: Involves the transfer of genes between organisms of the same species, without any foreign DNA.
- Mutagenesis: Use of radiation or chemicals to induce gene mutations. This is an early genetic technique that is not classed as GM or gene editing and is currently unregulated for use in NZ.