3 June 2022
J Bruning
via FYI.org.nz
email: [FYI request #19299 email]
Dear J Bruning,
Official Information Act Request – Projects employing regulated gene bio technologies
I refer to your request dated 9 May 2022 for the fol owing:
Please can you supply the following information for projects employing regulated gene
biotechnologies:
1. Please list all projects undertaken from August 2019 -August 2021 that have received
approval for the research under the HSNO Act sections 38-42 inclusive.
2. Please list all projects undertaken from August 2019 -August 2021 that have been
denied approval for the research under the HSNO Act sections 38-42 inclusive.
We wanted to first explain to you the basis under which AgResearch operates within the
approvals regime in the sections of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act which
you have identified.
AgResearch maintains a number of approvals under the Act for research work with identified
species within containment. To that end, AgResearch doesn’t general y seek or obtain
approvals from the regulator (currently the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA),
previously the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA)) for individual projects.
Rather, our individual projects conducted in our containment facilities, including projects
employing biotechnologies, involve organisms which AgResearch is permitted to work with in
its containment facilities.
The EPA maintains publicly searchable records of approvals under the Act which have been
granted to AgResearch, available from https://www.epa.govt.nz/.
After inquiring of relevant people at AgResearch, we don’t believe that we have had approvals
denied by the EPA during the period you have identified.
We have however been able to identify a list of specific projects in the biotechnology field
which we conducted during the period you have identified and which utilised approvals granted
under the sections 38 to 42 of the Act. We trust this wil meet your request.
AgResearch Limited
NZBN: 9429 038 966 224
Corporate Office and
Ruakura Research Centre
Grasslands Research Centre, Hopkirk
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Lincoln Research Centre
10 Bisley Road, Hamilton 3214
Research Institute, Te Ohu Rangahau Kai
176 Puddle Al ey, Mosgiel 9092
1365 Springs Road, Lincoln 7674
Private Bag 3121, Hamilton 3240
Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4410
Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053
Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140
T +64 7 856 2836
Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442
T +64 3 489 3809
T +64 3 321 8800
T +64 6 356 8019
www.agresearch.co.nz
The Official Information Act requires that we advise you of our decision on your request no
later than 20 working days after the day we received your request. Unfortunately, it will not
be possible to meet that time limit in relation to the release of the list of projects and we are
therefore notifying you of an extension of the time to make our decision, to 5 July 2022.
This extension is necessary in order to enable us to consult with the stakeholders involved in
the projects identified in the list. The list includes a range of projects, funded from a range of
sources including from several private sector stakeholders, hence our need to consult with
them prior to making our decision.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at 03 321 8800.
Yours faithfully,
Nick Barraclough
Team Leader - Legal
AgResearch Limited
NZBN: 9429 038 966 224
Corporate Office and
Ruakura Research Centre
Grasslands Research Centre, Hopkirk
Invermay Agricultural Centre
Lincoln Research Centre
10 Bisley Road, Hamilton 3214
Research Institute, Te Ohu Rangahau Kai
176 Puddle Alley, Mosgiel 9092
1365 Springs Road, Lincoln 7674
Private Bag 3121, Hamilton 3240
Tennent Drive, Palmerston North 4410
Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053
Private Bag 4749, Christchurch 8140
T +64 7 856 2836
Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North 4442
T +64 3 489 3809
T +64 3 321 8800
T +64 6 356 8019
www.agresearch.co.nz
