Full Release

Application

Any person intending to release a new organism must apply to the EPA for approval. 2287  

The application must include the identification of the organism, any likely inseparable organisms, all the possible adverse effects of the organism on the environment, the affinities of the organism with other organisms in New Zealand, the potential use for the organism, and information on all occasions where the organism has been considered by an overseas government or organism and the results of that consideration. 2288

Browns Island (Credit: Raewyn Peart)

Unlike containment approvals (see below) rapid assessment procedures do not apply to the full release of genetically modified organisms. 2289

An application for full release must be publicly notified. 2290

Decision

An application for full release must be declined if the new organism does not meet the “minimum standards”, that is, the new organism is likely to cause: 2291

  • Any significant displacement of any native species within its natural habitat; or
  • Any significant deterioration of natural habitats; or
  • Any significant adverse effects on human health and safety; or
  • Any significant adverse effect to New Zealand’s inherent genetic diversity; or
  • Disease, be parasitic, or become a vector for human, animal, or plant disease, unless the purpose of that importation or release is to import or release an organism to cause disease, be a parasite, or a vector for disease.

When making a decision, the EPA must have regard to: 2292

  • All the effects of the organism and the effects of any inseparable organism.
  • The ability of the organism to establish an undesirable self-sustaining population.
  • The ease with which the organism could be eradicated if it did establish an undesirable self-sustaining population.

The EPA must decline the application if the organism fails to meet the minimum standards above  and may decline the application if: 2293

  • After having regard to the three matters listed above, the adverse effects outweigh the positive effects, or
  • Insufficient information is available to enable it to determine the adverse effects of the organism.

The EPA may approve the application if: 2294

  • The organism meets the minimum standards above, and
  • After having regard to the three matters listed above, the positive effects outweigh the adverse effects.

Approval

An approval for full release must be granted without controls. 2295

The EPA is required to issue its decision in writing, including reasons for the decision, and notify the applicant, any submitters, and the general public of the decision. 2296

An approval for full release lapses five years after the date of approval unless the new organism is released or a time extension is granted. 2297

  1. Section 34(1) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  2. Section 34(2) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  3. Section 35 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  4. Section 53(1)(b) and (c) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996. Public notification will not be required where the new organism meets the rapid assessment requirements (which do not apply to genetically modified organisms: s 35) or is a qualifying organism (contained in a qualifying medicine or qualifying veterinary medicine: s 2).

  5. Section 36 Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  6. Sections 37 and 38(1) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  7. Section 38(1)(b) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  8. Section 38(1(a) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  9. Section 38(2) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  10. Section 38(5) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

  11. Section 39(3) Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996

Last updated at 12:22PM on February 25, 2015