36989 (2025). Steve Abel to the Minister for Biosecurity

36989 (2025). Steve Abel to the Minister for Biosecurity: What advice, if any, has the Minister received on potential impacts to biosecurity from the Gene Technology Bill?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I have been advised the passing of the Gene Technology Bill 2024 will require changes to the Biosecurity Act 1993, such as: • recognising the terminology of the Bill; • giving border staff the powers they need to handle regulated genetically modified organisms; • recognising standards set under the Bill and; • allowing for inspection activities to be cost-recovered. I have also been advised that aspects of the organism management system will be used to implement the Bill, and on the operational changes required to ensure the two regulatory systems interact as intended. Genetically modified organisms will be treated as any other organism if they create biosecurity risk. The Biosecurity Act 1993 provides for the necessary tools to protect New Zealand from these risks, and to respond if necessary.