Sweet corn investigation. Update 2

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s (MAF) investigations have cleared the Mid-Canterbury plantings of Krispy King sweet corn and the Hawkes Bay region planting of the GH2042 sweet corn variety, but seed tests for the Jubilee Plus/Dominion consignments planted in the Gisborne and Hawkes Bay regions have produced positive GM results and these crops will be destroyed.

This decision to clear the Krispy King and GH2042 plantings has been based on the receipt of results from three negative GM tests that were conducted prior to MAF’s investigation being launched. MAF usually only requires one negative test result. These consignments were originally accompanied by incorrect documentation.

Syngenta has supplied information about seed sorting technologies designed to remove maize seeds from sweet corn seedlots. MAF has obtained favourable independent advice about the effectiveness of these sorting technologies as a means of minimising the most likely sources of GM material.

Growers who have planted these sweet corn varieties will be contacted by MAF inspectors over the next day regarding the removal of Restricted Place notices that have been issued under the provisions of the Biosecurity Act. Seed secured by MAF will be released to merchants and growers.

Syngenta notified MAF late on Friday 8 December that further testing requested by MAF for the Jubilee Plus/Dominion consignments had produced positive GM results. MAF has now received and reviewed those results, and withdrawn biosecurity clearance for these consignments.

MAF is now contacting affected growers regarding destruction of these crops as soon as practicable, starting immediately. Restricted Place notices will remain in force for all affected properties, all of which are in the Hawke’s Bay or Gisborne regions, until MAF is satisfied that all plants have been destroyed. Seed secured by MAF will be either shipped overseas or destroyed.

It is not yet known what GM construct was present in the affected Jubilee Plus/Dominion consignments. Syngenta is undertaking additional tests to endeavour to determine this.

The following table provides location details of each of these consignments.

MAF believes that Syngenta has a duty of care to ensure that seed containing GM is not exported to New Zealand. MAF also believes that it has a duty of care to ensure that seeds containing GM are not knowingly cleared for entry into New Zealand. MAF is interested in the discussions between Syngenta and affected parties regarding contracting arrangements and possible compensation. MAF does not wish to see growers disadvantaged as a result of this situation.

For more information on this investigation, please refer to www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/plants/genetically-modified-organisms/current-issues.htm

December 5, 2006

Sweet corn investigation update 1

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is confident it has located all of the sweet corn that was cleared at the border in October and November 2006, but later determined to present a risk of containing genetically modified (GM) material at extremely low levels. Following further investigation, an additional 2,620kg consignment of potentially GM-contaminated corn has been identified. This now brings the total quantity of concern to 4,420kg.

The varieties of sweet corn (Krispy King, Dominion/Jubilee Plus, and GH2042, an as-yet unnamed variety) were all sourced from Syngenta in the USA. The following table provides location details of each of these consignments.

MAF’s objective is to ensure New Zealand’s GM-free status is maintained. MAF is continuing investigations to determine whether the seed contains any GM material. When this work is concluded decisions will be made as to the fate of the crops associated with each consignment.

MAF is concerned to ensure that its border inspection procedures are robust and has commenced a review of handling of these consignments and implications for its border procedures in this area.

MAF has also now reviewed all other sweet corn seed that was imported during 2006 and found no other discrepancies.

December 1, 2006

MAF investigates GM sweet corn importation

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is investigating the importation of genetically modified (GM) sweet corn that was inadvertently cleared by MAF’s Quarantine Service in October 2006.

Two consignments of sweet corn seeds imported from the US totalling 1,800kg were incorrectly cleared by MAF at that time.

While each consignment was accompanied by certificates showing a negative GM test result, additional documentation from the original batches of seeds from which these consignments were derived indicated the presence of GM.

The combination of these results suggests that any GM that may have entered New Zealand is present at extremely low levels.

MAF is now checking to see where these seeds were sent and whether any have been planted this season. The quantities imported could be used to plant an area of up to 400ha.

The documentation accompanying these seeds gives no indication as to the nature of the GM constructs involved.

MAF will be working with affected parties to locate all affected material. Subsequent actions will be determined by these discussions. MAF is also investigating its border clearance procedures to better understand what happened in this case and to prevent future occurrences.