December 12, 2006

New Zealand to destroy GM corn

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) has ordered the immediate destruction of some corn crops in Hawke's Bay and Gisborne after confirming they were GM-contaminated.

The MAF has been investigating imports of US corn, which were cleared at the border but later identified as possibly containing low levels of GM material.

Though MAF cleared two varieties of sweet corn seed sown in mid-Canterbury and Gisborne following test confirmation, it ordered destruction of another variety after discovering positive GM results.

The organisation has ordered an inquiry into the same.

New Zealand bars import of GM crops unless approved by the Environmental Risk Management Authority.