Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has today expressed concern at the potentially devastating impact on New Zealand's pastoral sector of proposed genetically modified clovers and ryegrasses.

Dr Jon Tanner, OANZ Chief Executive Officer, said that all farms - but particularly those certified organic - would be put at serious risk by a release of genetically engineered pasture grasses.

"Around the world, practical attempts at co-existence between modified and non-modified organisms have failed", Dr Tanner said.

"Contamination of non-GE products by genetically engineered pollen, or with GE products during harvesting, transport or processing, shows that no seed is safe once GE is unleashed.

"Trials here in New Zealand have already seen genetically engineered material escape from containment.

"It would only be a matter of time before GE pasture plants turned up in places they were never supposed to, and all New Zealand farmers - contaminated or not - are tainted by association.

"Organic farmers in particular would risk seeing their high-value markets devastated, since international organic standards require - and organic consumers demand - GE free products.

"But genetically modified pastures would also be a threat to any conventional farmer who simply wanted the choice to keep genetically modified organisms off their farm.

"In other countries, farmers have been sued by biotechnology companies after having their crops contaminated by genetically modified organisms. Not only do these farmers risk losing their livelihood, they're dragged to court by the perpetrators. It's as outrageous as an armed robber suing their victim for capturing the crime on a security camera.

"GE clover and ryegrass would destroy New Zealand's international reputation of producing safe, sustainable, high-value food.

"The Royal Society of New Zealand should be releasing discussion papers encouraging pursuit of innovation which supports that reputation, rather than racing to compete with lower value 'commodity'-producing countries", Dr Tanner said.