Action Alert: Royal Commission into Genetic Modification submission guidelines

Tip! Remember that all public submissions should address the terms of reference. Say for instance you want to write about labelling GE food and the right of consumers to choose. You would say (in one sentence)
"my submission addresses section B(j) of the terms of reference - the main areas of public interest including those related to human health."

The terms of reference for the Commission require it to inquire into, and investigate, the following matters:

1. Recommendations
   
   1. the strategic options available to enable New Zealand to address, now and in the future, genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products

   2. any changes considered desirable to the current legislative, regulatory, policy, or institutional arrangements for addressing, in New Zealand, genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
2. Relevant Matters
   
   1. where, how, and for what purpose genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products are being used in New Zealand at present

   2. the evidence (including the scientific evidence), and the level of uncertainty, about the present and possible future use, in New Zealand, of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   3. the risks of, and the benefits to be derived from, the use or avoidance of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products in New Zealand, including:
      • the groups of persons who are likely to be advantaged by each of those benefits

      • the groups of persons who are likely to be disadvantaged by each of those risks
   4. the international legal obligations of New Zealand in relation to genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   5. the liability issues involved, or likely to be involved, now or in the future, in relation to the use, in New Zealand, of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   6. the intellectual property issues involved, or likely to be involved, now or in the future, in relation to the use in New Zealand of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   7. the Crown's responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi in relation to genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   8. the global developments and issues that may influence the manner in which New Zealand may use, or limit the use of, genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   9. the opportunities that may be open to New Zealand from the use or avoidance of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   10. the main areas of public interest in genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products, including those related to:
       • human health (including biomedical, food safety, and consumer choice)

       • environmental matters (including biodiversity, biosecurity issues, and the health of ecosystems)
       • economic matters (including research and innovation, business development, primary production, and exports)
       • cultural and ethical concerns
   11. the key strategic issues drawing on ethical, cultural, environmental, social, and economic risks and benefits arising from the use of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products
   12. the international implications, in relation to both New Zealand's binding international obligations and New Zealand's foreign and trade policy, of any measures that New Zealand might take with regard to genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products, including the costs and risks associated with particular options
   13. the range of strategic outcomes for the future application or avoidance of genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products in New Zealand
   14. whether the statutory and regulatory processes controlling genetic modification, genetically modified organisms, and products in New Zealand are adequate to address the strategic outcomes that, in your opinion, are desirable, and whether any legislative, regulatory, policy, or other changes are needed to enable New Zealand to achieve these outcomes

Useful Links

• AMP - Information about how to make an effective submission.

• Once you've written your submission you can try the simple online form to email your submission, provided by on-line activism experts Context, who also have links to other guides to making a submission.